By role
May 20 2003

Fernando Alonso was interviewed at length yesterday by the Spanish Radio Network “Ser”. The interview took place in Fernando Alonso’s apartment in Oxford after the journalist had had the chance of following one normal day of work of the Spaniard in the Renault F1 factory in England. “I do a normal life here in Oxford, nobody recognizes me here. I usually wake up at 8 in the morning and I go to the factory. I go to the gym and I practice quite a lot of sports. I usually eat at the factory generally with different people. Everybody is used to see me everyday so obviously nobody asks me for an autograph in here.”

Alonso has had to learn to live by himself, away from home and from his family, something hard for a young man who is still 21 years old:

“It’s not a problem to live alone. I do my own grocery shopping, and I cook my dinner and also do my house and the bed. In high school I took a home economic course, and I learnt how to cook in there. I took home economics because it was easier that other courses available.” Alonso said. “I very rarely go to dine out as I do not like a lot the food in here. I miss my family most and also the food.”

Eddie Irvine wrote that Alonso should not put all his chances on Renault and to be open for a possible future call from Ferrari or McLaren. People are talking of Alonso as a future World Champion:

“I am not worried of people talking about me being World Champion one day. I am still 21, so there is plenty of time to be World Champion. If another team comes knocking on the door they have to knock on Renault’s or Briatore’s door, not in mine.

The Spaniard is grateful of the chances Renault has given him so far:

“I will never pose a problem to stay with Renault. I know that very soon Renault will fight for the World Championship. Renault has a budget of more than 400 Million Euros, there are no limits, the goal is clear.”

It may be possible to see Alonso one day driving a Ferrari?

“I have never driven a Ferrari or got into one. Nowadays our difference with Ferrari depends on each track.”

So what he expects on the next one? In Monaco?

“All the pilots are going to be quite tense at Monaco. For Renault is one of the best tracks, so we have, at least, to be on the podium.” Alonso said. “The ideal for us will be to do only one pit-stop.”

Alonso has some superstitions:

“I have lots of superstitions. I always put on the right boot before the left one prior to a race.”

In 12 days Alonso will be giving his best. A good qualifying position can mean half the race and Alonso will be putting his right boot on before the left on each day of the Grand Prix.