Fernando Alonso is one of the most recognized and important figures in Formula 1, especially in recent years, and the two-time world champion has always been a personality quite important and an athlete to admire, especially behind the wheel. The digital streaming platform DAZN recently released a documentary in honor of the Asturian under the name ‘Fernando Alonso. Revealed’, in which the Spanish pilot shares quite intimate details of his life as a professional pilot.
Through this audiovisual work, motorsport fans will have the opportunity to learn more about life inside and outside. of the sport of the Spanish driver, with Alonso himself being the person who takes them to know the most outstanding and unique moments of his career as a professional driver, as well as his beginnings.
Michael Schumacher is the protagonist in the documentary
German motorsports legend, ‘The Kaiser’, Michael Schumacher is possibly seen as the ultimate motorsport idol, especially in Formula 1, and he is a person whom Alonso remembers with great affection, as well as a lot of nostalgia: “A rival, a rivalry, an inspiration, too, because apart from being one of the toughest rivals I have had, or the toughest I have had, you have to think that for any child you need a reference. When I was in karting, Michael was already in F1, he had won some championships and just when I approached my debut in F1, Michael started to dominate the category.”
For Alonso it was quite significant and inspiring to be able to see the German driver on the screens, but much more special and inspiring when he was able to share the track with him and also be able to see him as a colleague and also a rival.: “During my time in Formula Nissan, Formula 3000, I shared a track with F1 and Michael won almost all the races, then you start to pay attention to him, how he acts, how he responds, how he dresses, how he drives. It is an inspiration that you take mental notes of and, suddenly, you find yourself wheel to wheel with it, fighting every Sunday. It was very special. Also winning the titles with him on the track is a memory that I will carry forever.”
What was ‘El Kaiser’ like in Alonso’s eyes?
Alonso, as mentioned before, has very fond memories of Schumacher, but speaking more specifically, the Spaniard commented that the German was a “Really tough guy in everything, not only on the track at a sporting level, but also outside, he was very cold, always kept his distance and always tried to intimidate.” “He was a pilot with whom it was very difficult to have a conversation. You were going to the briefing and he looked at you a little strange. You knew there was rivalry, but he took it literally. I also had that competitive spirit, we clashed often. With respect, but it was a tough rivalry,” he remembers about Michael.
“When I got to F1 I did have Michael as a reference and I was learning things, but at the same time, I was preparing for the day of, for when I had a car like theirs.“, confesses the Spaniard. “Schumacher and Hakkinen dominated with the Ferrari and the McLaren. I saw it and said: ‘I have to improve at this.’ Little things that I was doing in 2003, in 2004 and that is more of a job in the shadows, but for that idol, for that 2005 that is not a sudden, it is a work of years. In the Motor you have to look six months or a year ahead,” he concludes in his memories of his time with the German driver.
Fisichella, the only friend that Formula 1 has given him
But despite all this and that evidently there are relationships with many people in Formula 1, even from opposing teams, for Fernando Alonso only one person has the title of friend.: Giancarlo Fisichella, with whom he shared a team at Renault during the years of his world championships in the 2005 and 2006 seasons. “Driver friends, I would say that I have a friendship with Fisichella, from those years at Renault. And it arose a little, thanks to Flavio Briatore too, those card games, those trips to Kenya, to Flavio’s house to do the preseason… you need a boss who has that charisma, who unites the team. And I do have a bit of a friendship with Fisichella,” confesses the pilot. Alonso remembers those years fondly. “Beyond Fisichella I could like someone or be great, but I wouldn’t go on a vacation with him, or skiing, I wouldn’t make plans… so it’s difficult,” commented the current Aston Martin driver.
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