Fernando Alonso Díaz (born July 29, 1981 in Oviedo, Spain) is a Spanish Formula One racing driver and reigning, 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 F1 champion and is also the youngest double champion. He is nicknamed El Nano.As a child, Alonso and his father, who also doubled as his mechanic, participated in karting competitions around Spain. His family lacked the financial resources needed to develop a career in motorsport, but his victories guaranteed sponsorships and the required funds.
He won four Spanish championships in the junior category, in 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996. He also won the Junior World Cup in 1996. He won the Spanish and Italian Inter-A titles in 1997 and finished second of the European Championship in 1998, winning the Spanish Inter-A title again.
For the 2005 season, he was joined at Renault by Italian Giancarlo Fisichella. At the first race in Australia Alonso started near the back due to rain in qualifying but fought his way to third. He won the next two races in Malaysia and Bahrain from pole position, and took a third win in the San Marino Grand Prix after a 13-laps battle with Michael Schumacher.
The Spaniard became the youngest Drivers’ Champion at the age of 24 years and 59 days old, breaking Emerson Fittipaldi’s record. He also ended the 5-year dominance of Michael Schumacher.
Commenting on his victory, he said: “I just want to dedicate this championship to my family, and all my close friends who have supported me through my career. Spain is not a country with an F1 culture, and we had to fight alone, every step of the way, to make this happen. A huge thank-you should also go to the team as well — they are the best in Formula One, and we have done this together. It will say that I am world champion, but we are all champions — and they deserve this.” In the May 2007 issue of F1 Racing, Alonso said that the 2005 Brazilian Grand Prix was his greatest race. He said, “It was a dream come true and a very emotional day. In the last few laps I leaped, thinking I could hear noises from the engine- from everywhere! But all was okay and I can remember my relief when I crossed the finish line.”


