Alonso's Reign in Spain
Fernando Alonso is the rising star of motor racing. What is more, he enjoys relative anonymity in the streets of Oxford. The OxStu, however, tracked down the 21-year-old Spaniard in Bella Pasta on George Street.
The breakthrough to Formula One in 2001 proved difficult. Alonso joined Minardi at 19, becoming the third youngest driver in the history of the sport. The car lacked performance and reliability, his tenth place in Suzuka providing the highlight of an otherwise forgettable season. Understandably, he left to become test driver for Renault and spent a year outside Formula One on the advice of Managing Director Flavio Briatore.
Alonso struck back in 2003. Ousting a lacklustre Jenson Button, the man from Oviedo secured a points finish in each of the first five events. Disappointed only by a poor qualifying display in Austria, he ascended the podium in Malaysia, Brazil and his native Spain. The outcome in Brazil was particularly dramatic, in that the race was stopped following his own spectacular crash yet his points still counted.
While other drivers have expressed their concern about the controversial HANS device, following his experience at Interlagos, Alonso is more supportive: "I am happy with the system. If safety improves then that is good for everyone". He is less positive about the reaction of other drivers to his misfortune. Former World Champion Jacques Villeneuve attributed the crash to "crazy driving", after Alonso appeared to ignore flagged warnings. "I never take into account what people say. And Jacques talks too much".
Alonso would much rather discuss his pole position in Malaysia. With Italian team-mate Jarno Trulli alongside him on the grid, it was a remarkable achievement for all concerned. "Becoming the youngest driver to get pole in Formula One history was something very special. Honestly, it was an unforgettable week". Despite the nerves, Alonso snatched a valuable six points: "At that moment, I thought only of the race".
Off the track, he remains shy, yet confident: "I like almost all sports and I never stop playing them. I reckon I am good at cycling, football and tennis". For him, the worst part of living in Oxford is "that you are abroad and without your family", yet he appreciates the close proximity to the Renault site at Enstone. The city itself appeals to him: "It is not very big; that is why I like it. There are nice people, young people like me, from all around the world. Also, hardly anybody knows me. That is another thing I like about being here". In a game of big men in small boxes, this unassuming young man in the restaurant stands head and shoulders above the rest.
12th Jun 2003