Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso Diaz is a Formula 1 racing driver of Spanish descent. He has won the World Formula 1 Championships for two times in 2005 and 2006. He is the youngest driver to win the World Driver's Championship at the age of 24. Alonso achieved a score of 100 points for a span of three consecutive seasons, a feat equaled only by the renowned Schumacher. His Grand Prix career is studded with 19 wins, 17 pole positions and 49 podium finishes.

A Star in the Making

Fernando Alonso was born to Spanish parents on the 29th of July in Oviedo, Spain. His father Jose Luis was a mechanic and his mother worked at the local department store.

Jose Luis was an amateur kart racer who wanted his children to inculcate an interest towards the sport. Fernando had surely lived up to his expectation. In November 2006, he married the Spanish singer, Raquel del Rosario. As a child, Alonso was interested in kart racing. He won quite a few titles in the junior category. He was the champion of the Italian and Spanish Inter-A titles in 1997 and 1998.He also secured a second position at the European Championships. He was signed by Campos for the Spanish Euro Open. He also tested for Minardi and secured the fastest lap. Alonso joined the team Astromega for the Formula 3000. Alonso ended the season on the fourth position.
 

The Years of Struggle

Alonso began his F1 career in 2001with the Minardi team. Though he did not gain any significant victory, he completely outscored team-mate Tarso Marques. Alonso moved over to Renault in 2002. Alonso learnt quite a few things about Formula 1 racing from Button and Trulli. Alonso secured a race seat, when Button left at the end of the season. Alonso reaped podiums at the Brazilian Grand Prix and emerged victorious at the Hungarian Grand Prix. In 2004, Alonso outscored Trulli at the French Grand Prix. However, he could not repeat his remarkable feat of 2003.
 

Success Re-defined

2005 proved to be an outstanding year for Fernando Alonso. He won six titles including the Malaysian Grand Prix and the Bahrain Grand prix. He was also victorious at Shanghai. Alonso became the youngest F1 driver to win the World Driver’s Championship in 2005. At the beginning of 2007, he announced his decision to join Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. He secured a victory at Bahrain, but was lagging behind team mate Giancarlo Fisichella at the Malaysian Grand Prix. Alonso entered the European season with more points in his hand than in 2005. But he was defeated by Michael Schumacher and came out at the second position. Alonso was victorious in front of his home crowd at the Spanish Grand Prix. He repeated the same feat in Monaco. He defeated Raikkonen and increased his points lead. He also secured another Grand Prix victory at Britain. It looks like Alonso is all set to turn around and retain his former glory again.

Fernando Alonso is one of the much touted names in the Grand Prix circuit. He has 19 Grand prix titles to his name. He has taken 18 pole positions, 11 doubles (pole position and win) and 3 triples (pole position, win and fastest lap).