Spanish Formula One Grand Prix 2003
Fernando Alonso: A Star is Born
The 2003 Formula 1 season got underway on March 9th where 21 year old
Spaniard Fernando Alonso finished seventh. In Malaysia he went on to stun the
F1 world when he became the youngest man ever to achieve a pole position in the
history of the sport. His 3rd place made him the first Spaniard on the podium
since 1956.
At Montmeló on Saturday May 3rd 2003 Alonso came in 3rd behind the two
Ferraris in the final qualifying session. Then the following day he came in
second at the 47th Spanish Grand Prix with only Michael Schumacher faster. This
was the day a new Spanish national sporting hero was born.
Fernando Alonso drove the 96,000 fans wild as he became the first Spaniard to
finish second in a Formula One race. Living up to his reputation as the sport's
bright new hope Alonso more than once led the race. Third off the grid, he
finished the 65 laps of the 4.73-kilometre (2.93-mile) Circuit de Catalunya just
5.7 seconds behind winner and five-time world champion Michael Schumacher of
Ferrari.
In his cool-down lap, thousands of spectators, many waving the yellow and blue
flags of his native city of Oviedo, cheered as he saluted them.
"It is a special moment for me, I will never forget this day," the Renault
driver said. "I will try to repeat this every time I come here to Barcelona.
"It was a very special lap to be in front of 96,000 people with the flags coming
from all the parts of Spain and they were very happy, very excited about my
position in the race."
Alonso's success is largely responsible for the the increased turnout all three
days at the Circuit de Catalunya compared to the previous year. Alonso's track
record is impressive. He made his first laps on a karting track when he was
three, and he was infant category champion in his native Asturias region four
years later. By 14, he was the world karting champion. On the Catalan circuit,
he won the Formula Nissan in 1999. In his only previous F1 appearance at the
track, he finished 13th for Minardi in 2001, his maiden season.
Testimonial from the 2003 Grand Prix
Gerry - hello
Just a quick message to say thanks again for organising our weekend to Barcelona
and for driving us to and from the race. It was our first trip to Barcelona and
we both enjoyed it thoroughly. The Citadines accommodation was well placed as a
base for our trip and the staff there very pleasant and helpful. Though a lot of
our was time spent at the circuit, we still managed to cram in plenty of
sight-seeing and got a real flavour of the city. We will certainly look you up
again in future if we return to Spain and would certainly recommend you to
others.
Good luck with Spanish Fiestas, many thanks and take care.
Rejash (contact details on request)
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