Fernando Alonso Díaz was born on July 29, 1981, in the Spanish city of Oviedo. Alonso’s racing career started when he was just three years-old. His father, José Luis Alonso, a big kart fan, decided to build one himself for Fernando’s eight-year-old elder sister, Lorena. Luckily for the sport of Formula 1 she didn’t particularly take to it, but her kid brother Alonso most certainly did. The pedals needed some adjustment, but Fernando was able to go karting. “It all started out as just a plaything, but from the age of five or six it was clear that he had more of a spark than other kids of his age,” says the racing driver’s dad. Local and then national competitions swiftly followed. The young Alonso’s talents seemed limitless and in 1992 he clinched the first of five Spanish karting championships, a tally only overshadowed by a world crown in 1996. Eschewing other series, the Spanish teenager was determined to finish his apprenticeship in karting.
Spotted by former Formula 1 driver Adrian Campos at the Marlboro Masters karting race in Barcelona, which Alonso won landed him a test with Campos’ Formula Nissan team, at Albacete in October 1998. Although he crashed twice during the test, by the third day he had matched Campos’ race driver Marc Gene’s pole position time from the race held earlier that year. Alonso was confirmed with Campos racing for the 1999 Euro Open by Nissan series. He took his first win in the series in the second round at Albacete. Entering the final round of the season he had 125 points to championship leader Manuel Giao’s 144. Alonso needed to win and take the fastest lap (which was worth an extra point) in the final round at Valencia to claim the title. Alonso had achieved nine poles and six victories.
No Subscription? You’re missing out
Get immediate ad-free access to all our premium content.
Spotted by former Formula 1 driver Adrian Campos at the Marlboro Masters karting race in Barcelona, which Alonso won landed him a test with Campos’ Formula Nissan team, at Albacete in October 1998. Although he crashed twice during the test, by the third day he had matched Campos’ race driver Marc Gene’s pole position time from the race held earlier that year. Alonso was confirmed with Campos racing for the 1999 Euro Open by Nissan series. He took his first win in the series in the second round at Albacete. Entering the final round of the season he had 125 points to championship leader Manuel Giao’s 144. Alonso needed to win and take the fastest lap (which was worth an extra point) in the final round at Valencia to claim the title. Alonso had achieved nine poles and six victories.
