Fernando Alonso Díaz

Fernando Alonso Díaz (Born on July 29, 1981 in Oviedo, Spain) is a Spanish Formula One racing driver and a two-time World Champion. On September 25, 2005 he won the World Driver’s Championship title at the age of 24 years and 58 days, thus breaking Emerson Fittipaldi’s record of being the youngest World Drivers’ Champion (currently held by Lewis Hamilton). After retaining the title the following year, Alonso also became the youngest double Champion. In 2007, he became the second F1 driver, after Michael Schumacher, to score at least 100 points for three consecutive seasons. Nicknamed El Nano, Alonso acts as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and is one of the directors of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association.

Fernando Alonso was born in Oviedo, Asturias in northern Spain. His mother worked in a department store and his father was employed as a mechanic in an explosives factory near Oviedo. Alonso has an older sister, Lorena. Alonso’s father José Luis, an amateur kart racer, wanted to pass on his passion to his children. He built a kart, originally meant for eight-year-old Lorena, but unlike her three-year-old brother, she showed no interest in the sport. Alonso is rumoured to be married to Raquel del Rosario, lead singer of Spanish pop band El Sueño de Morfeo. The two apparently married on November 17, 2006.

Formula One World Championship career:

2008 team		Renault
2008 car #		5
2009 team		Renault
2009 car #		7
Races			123 (122 starts)
Championships		2 (2005, 2006)
Wins			21
Podiums			52
Career points		551
Pole positions		17
Fastest laps		11
First race		2001 Australian Grand Prix
First win		2003 Hungarian Grand Prix
Last win		2008 Japanese Grand Prix
Last race		2008 Brazilian Grand Prix
2008 position		5th (61 pts)