| Fernando Alonso was born in Oveido in Northern | | | | neverseen a talent like Fernando Alonso. |
| Spain on 29th. July 1981. He wasfortunate to be | | | | His 2003 entry into Formula 1 racing saw him win |
| born to hard working parents who were willing | | | | the Hungarian Grand Prixand also take one second |
| and happyto devote their time and attention to | | | | and two third places for Renault. In 2004 hebuilt |
| developing the skills he showedfrom a very early | | | | on his experience and achieved 1 second and 3 |
| age that would eventually lead to him becominga | | | | thirds but 2005was his year. He took 5 first |
| Formula 1 World Champion. | | | | places, 4 seconds, 3 thirds and just 1 fourth. |
| His father, an explosives expert called | | | | This of course won him the Formula 1 world |
| José Luis Alonso, dreamt of go-kartracing | | | | championship and alsothe Constructors |
| and tried to pass on his enthusiasm to his | | | | Championship for Renault. In 2006 he went |
| daughter, Lorena, five years | | | | fromstrength to strength taking 7 firsts,7 |
| Fernando Alonso's senior.He made her a cart | | | | seconds and 2 fifths and then became |
| himself and at the age of 8 entered her into | | | | Formula 1 World Champion for the second year |
| competitions. | | | | running. |
| However she did not take to the world of speed | | | | His win in Hungary in 2003 was remarkable as |
| and the experiment fell by the wayside. | | | | Fernando Alonso at 22 years and 16 daysbecome |
| As a result, at three years of age, Fernando | | | | the youngest Formula 1 driver to win a Grand |
| "inherited" the go-kart and thushistory was made. | | | | Prix. Until thenthe title had been held by Bruce |
| Due to his size it was necessary to adapt some | | | | McLaren since 1959 when he won the |
| of the pedals but rightfrom the start Alonso | | | | U.S.A. Grand Prix at 22 years and 104 days. |
| showed some skill and his father started to see | | | | Despite all the fame and world acclaim, not to |
| hisdreams fulfilled. To begin with of course it was | | | | mention all the adorationhe receives from his |
| just a game but fromthe early age of 5 or 6 he | | | | Spanish fans, Feranando Alonso has remained a |
| started to outshine the other children and at | | | | modestand relatively quiet man who tries to lead |
| 7 years old Fernando Alonso gained his first | | | | a normal life despite all theincredible pressure. He |
| victory in | | | | has the ability to "close the door" and switch |
| Pola de Laviana, it was his first entry into a junior | | | | offand is a very cool person who unlike the vast |
| race and he tookthe title, having won all 8 races. | | | | majority of Spaniards does notshow his emotions |
| Father and son spent every weekend going from | | | | in an excessive way. It is this side of his |
| race circuit to race circuit.They wentround all the | | | | characterthat has helped him to dedicate himself |
| village fiestas that held a race and helped to build | | | | to the motor-racing sport heloves and has given |
| the circuitswith bales of straw. At 8 he went | | | | him the ability to become a true champion. |
| outside his home province of Asturias for thefirst | | | | From then on he competed in many many races, |
| time and won the Galician championship as well. In | | | | winning most of them andbuilding up much |
| 1990 he againtook the Asturias title along with | | | | valuable experience. His break into Formula 1 |
| Navarre. However in 1991 thingsstarted to get a | | | | motor racing came at Jerezwhere test were |
| little out of hand as trips to Madrid and | | | | being carried out and Fernando Alonso, along with |
| otherprovinces were continuous and expenses | | | | some other unknowndrivers, were given the |
| were escalating beyond those which thefamily | | | | opportunity to show their stuff. Alonsooutshone all |
| could reasonably afford. Fernando Alonso has | | | | the others and created a great impression. As a |
| always been veryaware and appreciative of the | | | | result |
| help and support given to him by all of hisfamily | | | | Gabriele Rumi offered him a 10 year contract at |
| from his sister to his grandmother and not least | | | | the behest of Cesare |
| ofcourse his mother and father and the sacrifices | | | | Fiorio, ex-sporting director of Lancia, Ferrari,Ligier, |
| they had to make. They approachedmany official | | | | Prost and Minardiwho said of Alonso, "In 40 years |
| bodies and companies for sponsorship but | | | | I have had over 300 drivers and I have never |
| received no help at all. | | | | seenone like this. He is one of the drivers that |
| Then his break came when, at less than 12 years | | | | comes up every 10 years. Therehave been the |
| of age, whilst competing in the | | | | eras of Schumacher, Prost, Senna and Piquet and |
| Catalan Championship at Mora de Ebra, he was | | | | he isa sure contender for stardom in Formula 1 |
| spotted by Genis Marcó of | | | | over the next 10 years." Hemaintains that in all of |
| Genikart who gave him a test. He won the race | | | | his 40 years of managing drivers he has |
| without giving anyone else a chanceand from then | | | | neverseen a talent like Fernando Alonso. |
| Marcó said he would compete in the | | | | His 2003 entry into Formula 1 racing saw him win |
| Spanish championship withthem. Although the | | | | the Hungarian Grand Prixand also take one second |
| financial and other support was welcomed by the | | | | and two third places for Renault. In 2004 hebuilt |
| family it didmean that in some ways they felt | | | | on his experience and achieved 1 second and 3 |
| they lost Fernando at that point, particularlyas his | | | | thirds but 2005was his year. He took 5 first |
| father no longer acted as his mechanic. From | | | | places, 4 seconds, 3 thirds and just 1 fourth. |
| 1995 IAME, the Ferrariof go-kart racing, and | | | | This of course won him the Formula 1 world |
| Marcó took charge of the travelling and | | | | championship and alsothe Constructors |
| most other arrangementswhich really left little for | | | | Championship for Renault. In 2006 he went |
| José Luis Alonso, but this was inevitable if | | | | fromstrength to strength taking 7 firsts,7 |
| Fernando Alonso was to be able to properly | | | | seconds and 2 fifths and then became |
| pursue a career in motor racing. | | | | Formula 1 World Champion for the second year |
| From then on he competed in many many races, | | | | running. |
| winning most of them andbuilding up much | | | | His win in Hungary in 2003 was remarkable as |
| valuable experience. His break into Formula 1 | | | | Fernando Alonso at 22 years and 16 daysbecome |
| motor racing came at Jerezwhere test were | | | | the youngest Formula 1 driver to win a Grand |
| being carried out and Fernando Alonso, along with | | | | Prix. Until thenthe title had been held by Bruce |
| some other unknowndrivers, were given the | | | | McLaren since 1959 when he won the |
| opportunity to show their stuff. Alonsooutshone all | | | | U.S.A. Grand Prix at 22 years and 104 days. |
| the others and created a great impression. As a | | | | Despite all the fame and world acclaim, not to |
| result | | | | mention all the adorationhe receives from his |
| Gabriele Rumi offered him a 10 year contract at | | | | Spanish fans, Feranando Alonso has remained a |
| the behest of Cesare | | | | modestand relatively quiet man who tries to lead |
| Fiorio, ex-sporting director of Lancia, Ferrari,Ligier, | | | | a normal life despite all theincredible pressure. He |
| Prost and Minardiwho said of Alonso, "In 40 years | | | | has the ability to "close the door" and switch |
| I have had over 300 drivers and I have never | | | | offand is a very cool person who unlike the vast |
| seenone like this. He is one of the drivers that | | | | majority of Spaniards does notshow his emotions |
| comes up every 10 years. Therehave been the | | | | in an excessive way. It is this side of his |
| eras of Schumacher, Prost, Senna and Piquet and | | | | characterthat has helped him to dedicate himself |
| he isa sure contender for stardom in Formula 1 | | | | to the motor-racing sport heloves and has given |
| over the next 10 years." Hemaintains that in all of | | | | him the ability to become a true champion. |
| his 40 years of managing drivers he has | | | | |