Fernando Alonso faces this weekend the 24th Formula 1 Grand Prix in Spain. The two-time world champion reflects on the importance of competing at home and the relevance of his achievements.
18 Grand Prix of Spain in Barcelona and five of Europe in Valencia. That’s the baggage Fernando Alonso in Formula 1 as a local pilot. And this weekend will add one more experience.
And, although the truth is that the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya It is surely the best known by all the drivers on the grid -because it is not in vain that it is the most used by promotion categories and Formula 1 itself-, Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz really give their best on this track.
Of course, it is not because they know the circuit better than the rest, but because of a special atmosphere and motivation that allows them to find one or two tenths that the rest cannot even imagine. Fernando Alonso explains how this magic happens.
The fans push the car
It cannot be measured or seen, but the truth is that the push of the Spanish fans exists in the Spanish Grand Prix. At least that is what Fernando Alonso says, who has starred in some of his best races on Spanish soil.
“I have had two home races: in Barcelona and Valencia. Both circuits were very special and with a lot of support. I very much remember the years of the 2005, 2006 or 2007 World Cups, with all the blue stands, with great support. It is, still, a magical atmosphere every time I go there, “says the Asturian pilot.
«It was a great change in my life, the same as for the whole country, which discovered a very beautiful sport»
«It is always special when everyone in the stands shouts your name, all the flags and how they live the race, which is something unique in Spain. We race around the world, but in Spain, and maybe a bit in Brazil, it’s a bit different.”
“It’s like a football game. They stand up when you go around their corner, they wave the flags, so they’re very active. You see it from the car. You see those moves in the stands and it’s a lovely feeling.”.
«At the home Grand Prix you give an extra, because there are all those people and you try to give them something special. You always try to do it, but I think that the level of concentration in your home race is always a little higher than in the rest of the races”, reiterates Fernando Alonso.
That yes, the pressure to give the best of oneself can affect and Fernando Alonso has a piece of advice for his younger self, the one who debuted in 2001 with Minardi.
“Probably, I would tell my little ‘brother’ to enjoy the atmosphere a little more. Because when you are racing, when you face your first home Grand Prix, you are a bit stressed because you know that your family, your friends are there and I think you leave the race in a different way. Enjoy the time off the track with them a little more and take advantage of everything in your home Grand Prix.
Formula 1, a mass sport in Spain
Today it may seem incredible for those who did not experience it, but the truth is that there was a time when Formula 1 rivaled football as the most followed sport in Spain. And it was Fernando Alonso’s fault.
“It was incredible to see how Spain changed with F1. I debuted in 2001 and there was no live television coverage, so we had to make ends meet to watch the races on German television, with a satellite dish or something like that because there was no way to see it,” he recalls.
“In three or four years there was an incredible change and we were competing with football in terms of how many people watched it on television. And that was a big change, with a lot of commercials, my face was everywhere and that was a big change in my life too, for sure, the same as for the whole country, which discovered a very beautiful sport»reflects the two-time Formula 1 world champion.
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A legacy for young drivers, for Spain
Now, Fernando Alonso is on his way to turning 41 and, although he is still in full swing, he knows that the end is near. For this reason, his legacy is becoming increasingly important.
“There is always a little more responsibility. You have many eyes on you, you have to behave in a certain way. especially because there are many children, many young karting drivers, who try to follow you in your home race, they see what you do and how you act, when you do interviews on television or something, “Alonso admits.
“That responsibility, trying to be a model, was quite important to me.. You try to do the best you can. But obviously there are always times when you let someone down, but it is what it is.”
“My hope is to leave something to the sport that gave me so much, to the country as well.. Because I’ve had tremendous support from all over the world. I have been very lucky to have the opportunity to race in F1 and then to have a fast car, to be a champion », he says, despite the fact that his talent deserves more.
“And now, thanks to that experience, to the contacts that I have, if I can help young talents and, at least, have the possibility, I have to do it. It’s an individual sport, you’re alone in the carbut if I can help them achieve their dreams I will be very happy”, he concludes.
Fernando Alonso Díaz, eternal and example to follow.
Source:
Alpine F1 Team
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Photos: Alpine F1 Team