Fernando Alonso has admitted a sense of personal pride at his legacy in Formula 1, as the impact of his popularity has transformed F1’s outreach in Spain.
Alonso is a stalwart of F1, having made his debut back in 2001 for Minardi, when F1 raced with much smaller cars and louder V10 engines.
Becoming world champion in 2005 and 2006, his achievements transformed the sport’s popularity in Spain, as grandstands filled with a sea of blue of yellow in deference to then team Renault.
Taking 45 career wins to date, he has inspired new generations of Spanish drivers to race in F1, including Carlos Sainz, and the younger Pepi Marti.
Alonso has revealed pride in his legacy, highlighting the growth of F1’s appeal in his home country.
“I feel honoured,” the two time world champion said to media, including Motorsport Week in Madrid.
“My debut in 2001, my family was watching my races on RTL, the German channel, because it was not broadcast in Spain.
“So that tells you how small F1 was 20 years ago and how much things have changed, and the passion for many drivers in Spain to become part of F1.
“And not only behind the wheel. I think there are maybe five, seven, 10% of the mechanics, engineers in F1 are now Spanish. So that’s probably another thing that we changed in Spain, the wish to be part of F1 in different roles.
“That’s the biggest, one of the most proud things that I feel.”
Fernando Alonso proud of legacy in Spain
Alonso went as far to say he values growth of F1 in his home country above his many achievements in F1 during his extensive and glittering career.
“Winning races or winning championships if you have the car and you are in the right place, right moment, the 20 drivers here, they can have that opportunity,” he said.
“I was very lucky to experience that.
“But I think the biggest legacy for me and my career is the change in Spain, for F1 and everything from karting, single-seaters, different Spanish teams racing in single-seaters, even to an extent in rally and other categories, my museum in Spain and all the visits that we have there.
“I don’t know, there are many things outside the car that maybe make me more proud of my career than the results itself.”
Alonso is one of F1’s most recognisable personalities, his impact on F1 in Spain irrefutable and cannot be understated.
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