Fernado Alonso made his Formula 1 debut with Paul Stoddart's Minardi Team in 2001 at the Australian Grand Prix following an early career in karting and culminating in F3000 before reaching the pinnacle of the sport at the age of 19. Alonso's talent was noted by Renault in 2001 and he duly joined the team for a 5 year stint from 2002-2006. The Renault years were good for Alonso and he took the World Drivers title for the first time in 2005, at the time taking Emerson Fittipaldi's record for the youngest champion. He then went on to repeat the feat in 2006 joining an elite few that have won consecutive titles and becoming the youngest double World Champion. At the end of his first stint at Renault Alonso had amassed an impressive 14 wins and 12 pole positions but decided in 2007 that it was time to move on. He was signed by McLaren to drive alongside rapidly rising star and McLaren protege Lewis Hamilton and it was set to become a difficult year for the Spaniard. Although he won four Grand Prix and took two pole positions Alonso was effectively overshadowed by his younger and less experienced team mate finishing 3rd in the championship behind Raikkonen and Hamilton. One year at McLaren was enough for Alonso and he rejoined the Renault F1 team for 2008 and 2009 but despite two wins in 2008 the pairing was unable to match it's earlier successes. Alonso finished 5th in the title race in 2008 and 9th in 2009. For the 2010 season Alonso has what he hopes will be the 'Dream Ticket', a drive at Ferrari alonside Felipe Massa. This will prove to be the ultimate test for Alonso, being new to the team and joining Massa who is established and hungry for success.
For the record
Nationality - Spanish
Born 29 July 1981
First GP Australia 2001
Total GP's 140
Wins 21
Poles 18
Fastest laps 13
Total points 577
Teams
-Minardi
-Renault
-Mclaren
-Ferrari
World Champion
-2005
-2006
