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indwe magazine – Oct 2005
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Olé, Olé
Fernando Alonso “I have always been the youngest in every category, perhaps because of that, I am used to breaking that sort of record. Although it may seem that I do not go mad about all these achievements, I do value them, precisely because I have always been the youngest in all the classes I have raced in.” Fernando Alonso became the youngest winner in the history of Formula One with his victory at the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix, at an age of just 22 years and 16 days. Today, this amiable and handsome young man stands on the brink of becoming the youngest ever Formula One World Driver’s Champion. In fact, it will require either a miracle or a disaster to keep this talented young driver from becoming the next World Champion. |
| Fernando Alonso’s story is one of a highly gifted child, both in school and behind the wheel. It’s the story of a little boy who, from the beginning, could count on his father’s support and enthusiasm, and that of a small family standing behind him in his quest to be the best. As a boy, José Luis Alonso, an explosives expert,  had dreamed about go-kart racing. As a father he tried to instil this enthusiasm into his daughter, Lorena, but after building her a kart he, he realised that speed was not her thing, and so his younger sibling, Fernando, inherited the racing kart, although he was only three years old. The pedals had to be adapted so that the youngster could drive the kart, and drive it he did! From that moment, José Luis could see his hopes fulfilled.Here we have the greatest of the great. In 40 years I have had over 300 drivers and I have never seen any like Fernando Alonso. He is a sure contender for stardom in F1 over the next 10 years.” Cesare Fiorio, Former Sporting Director for Ferrari Fernando was not only a prodigy behind the wheel, but he also got good marks at school, which meant that his mother raised no objections to father and son going from circuit to circuit every weekend. Taking part in various European karting championships meant that José Luis and Fernando had to make trips of over 2,000 km in their old Peugeot 405 diesel. “We used to leave on Thursday after school, and while I was driving, Fernando was asleep in the back. When the races finished on Sunday, there was another 18 to 20 hour journey back to Oviedo so that Fernando could start school on Tuesday morning,” says José Luis. Because of the economic difficulties of a small family trying to support their son in the rather expensive sport of karting, Fernando was already acting as mechanic for other young drivers when he was 13, earning some money from this to offset some of his expenses. “I like mechanics and got personal satisfaction from helping other kids, and it was useful to earn some money to help out. I tried to pay my way with this so that I was not a burden on anybody,” Fernando reflects. “You could see that he had everything – cool, concentration, intelligence – gifts that, together with talent, go to make a champion.” Cesare Fiorio, Former Sporting Director for Ferrari, on Fernando Alonso’s first test in a F1 car Fernando has always been a very intelligent driver, and in karting he learned how to finish races even if it meant coming second or third. “He always kept a cool head, was on top of everything, he knew how to manage the races, and he was patient when he had to be. Winning the qualifying rounds was no use if the kart was ruined at the end,” comments José Luis. It’s obvious that Fernando has carried this same philosophy into F1. “There is no point in being the best on Friday, or even getting pole position unless you have a competitive and reliable car for the race. The important thing is the race and keeping the car going. That is why I am often asked on Friday if I am worried about being a bit behind, and I answer no, because Friday is just part of the ongoing preparation of the car. You must start the race with the best possible car. If you can get pole position, that’s fine, but it is the race that is important because that is where you score points,” says Fernando. All of Fernando’s mentors and managers seem to comment on his exceptional intelligence, even describing him as a sponge that soaks up information. He is also very guarded in showing his emotions. After winning his first Grand Prix in Hungary in 2003, he calmly walked into the Renault garage and screamed‚ “What I have done, what I have done,” and then went out to meet the press with a completely different face. He does not show things on the outside, but he clearly feels them. Because he knows how to switch off, pressure does not affect him, and he simply ‘closes’ the door on all emotions. “It is not the drivers who beat me, it’s the cars,” Fernando Alonso, while driving for Minardi. As a successful F1 driver, Fernando Alonso now earns a small fortune, but fame and fortune does not faze this mature young man. And when probed about his success, he always turns the conversation to the things that matter most in his life, his family, his values and an uncomplicated life style. “My father has always instilled good values and education into me, and I shall always thank him for it. I know how to value what I had, the effort they had to make at home, because we are just a normal family. My parents both worked, and I spent a good part of their wages on my karting; the only way to ‘pay’ for their effort in some way was to win races and make the sport worthwhile. Seeing my father’s face after every win is the best reward,” Fernando comments like a man worthy of greatness. |