Fernando Alonso

Early Life Born in Oviedo, Asturias in northern Spain on 29 July Oviedo

Family Mother worked in department store, father employed as mechanic in explosives factory near Oviedo. Older sister, Lorena. Father built a kart, meant for eight-year-old Lorena, but she showed no interest in the sport.

Career 1 Alonso entered karting competitions in Spain. Father was his mechanic. This helped him get sponsorship to carry on racing. Won four Spanish karting championships including the Junior World Cup and Spanish Karting Championships. Won the Inter A Class Karting Championships in Spain and Italy. Exceptional talent recognised in 1998 when he was given test in World Series Nissan series car, lapping Albacete circuit as quickly as F1 drivers of the day. Won Belgian Grand Prix in Formula 3000 car. Formula 3000 car

Career 2 Started F1 career with Minardi in 2001 before moving to Renault in Won the F1 World Driver’s Championship title at the age of 24 years and 58 days, breaking Emerson Fittipaldi's record being the youngest F1 World Drivers' Champion (this record was broken by Lewis Hamilton). After retaining the title the following year, he also became the youngest double Champion. In 2007, he became the second F1 driver, after Michael Schumacher, to score at least 100 points three consecutive seasons.

Career 3 Current team: Ferrari Current teammate: Felipe Massa from Brazil. Favourite track: Monaco.

Records Car number8 Races146 (145 starts) Championships2 (2005, 2006) Wins22 Podiums55 Career points652 Pole positions18 Fastest laps14 First race2001 Australian Grand Prix First win2003 Hungarian Grand Prix Last win2010 Bahrain Grand Prix Last race2010 Monaco Grand Prix 2009 position9th (26 pts) Fernando Alonso at the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix

Personal Life Married to Raquel del Rosario, lead singer of Spanish pop band El Sueno Morfeo. November Lives in Oxford owns house at Lake Geneva, Switzerland. Speaks Spanish, English, Italian and French. Hobbies include: Card tricks, football and cycling. Hello Bonjour Hola Buon giorno

Conclusion Because of Fernando Alonso’s achievements in F1 driving I think he is one of the most famous and well-known sports people in Spain.