Fernando Alonso
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| Fernando Alonso | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Fernando Alonso |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Birth date | 29 July 1981 |
| Birth place | Oviedo, Asturias, Spain |
| Years active | 2001, 2003–2018, 2021– |
| Team | Aston Martin |
| Car number | 14 |
| Former teams | Minardi, Renault, McLaren, Ferrari, Alpine |
| Championships | 2 (2005, 2006) |
| Race starts | 384 |
| Race wins | 32 |
| Podiums | 106 |
| Poles | 22 |
| Fastest laps | 24 |
| Points | 2267 |
Fernando Alonso is a Spanish racing driver currently competing for the Aston Martin F1 Team in Formula One. A two-time Formula One World Champion, having won the title with Renault in 2005 and 2006, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport. His career is noted for its longevity, remarkable racecraft, and success across multiple racing disciplines, including victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Early life and career beginnings
Born in Oviedo, Asturias, his passion for motorsport was ignited at age three when he received a kart from his father. He began competitive karting at the age of seven, quickly dominating national championships in Spain. His early success included winning the World Junior Karting Championship in 1996, which brought him to the attention of senior racing teams. After progressing through the European karting scene, he moved to single-seaters, winning the Euro Open by Nissan title in 1999 with the team run by future Formula One chief Flavio Briatore. This success earned him a test driver role with the Minardi Formula One team and a full-season drive in the International Formula 3000 championship in 2000, where he finished fourth.
Formula One career
He made his Formula One debut with Minardi in 2001 before being signed as a test driver for Renault. Promoted to a race seat in 2003, he won his first Grand Prix at the Hungarian Grand Prix, becoming the youngest winner at the time. His championship-winning years in 2005 and 2006 involved intense battles with Michael Schumacher and Ferrari, breaking the latter's dominance. A controversial move to McLaren in 2007 resulted in a season marred by an internal rivalry with rookie teammate Lewis Hamilton and the spygate scandal. He returned to Renault for two seasons, winning the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix under controversial circumstances later linked to the Crashgate scandal. A high-profile five-year stint with Ferrari from 2010 to 2014 yielded several race wins but no championship, often finishing as runner-up to Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing. After a second, less successful period with McLaren from 2015 to 2018, he left the sport, only to return with the Alpine team in 2021, securing a podium at the 2021 Qatar Grand Prix. His move to Aston Martin for the 2023 season resulted in a remarkable resurgence, achieving multiple podiums.
Driving style and legacy
Renowned for his relentless race pace, strategic intelligence, and exceptional ability to manage tyres, his driving is often described as aggressive yet calculated. He is particularly famed for his defensive prowess and capacity to extract maximum performance from uncompetitive machinery, a trait celebrated by fans and pundits alike. His legacy extends beyond Formula One, as he achieved the "Triple Crown of Motorsport" by winning the Monaco Grand Prix, the 24 Hours of Le Mans (twice with Toyota Gazoo Racing), and the 24 Hours of Daytona. While still missing the Indianapolis 500, his attempt with McLaren at the 2017 Indianapolis 500 and 2019 Indianapolis 500 highlighted his versatility. Within the Formula One paddock, he is respected as a fierce competitor whose career has bridged multiple eras, from battling Michael Schumacher to competing against modern stars like Max Verstappen.
Personal life
He maintains a strong connection to his hometown of Oviedo, where he founded the Fundación Fernando Alonso to promote road safety and support young karting talents. An avid fan of association football, he is a partial owner of the Indianapolis 500-winning Arrow McLaren IndyCar Series team and has previously held a stake in the Spanish football club Real Oviedo. His personal interests include cycling, and he has participated in charity events like the Haute Route series. He is known for being intensely private, keeping his family life largely out of the public spotlight while maintaining a significant presence on social media platforms where he engages with his global fanbase.
Awards and recognition
His achievements have been honored with numerous accolades, including the Prince of Asturias Award for Sports in 2005. He has received the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy and has been named the BBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year. In his home country, he has been awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sports Merit by the Kingdom of Spain. The FIA has recognized his contributions to motorsport, and he frequently appears in expert rankings as one of the greatest Formula One drivers of all time. His impact on Spanish sport is profound, inspiring a generation of drivers like Carlos Sainz Jr. and contributing to the growth of Formula One's popularity in Spain and Latin America.
Category:Spanish Formula One drivers Category:Formula One World Champions Category:24 Hours of Le Mans winners