By Jay
May 6 2012

With a whopping 460,000 followers in Twitter and over 24,000 likes on his Facebook account, Fernando Alonso is on the right social path to stay connected with his fans.

Here are a few of the queries he answered, of the several thousands he has so far being asked on twitter and facebook. These answers are posted on his website.

Which is, in your opinion, the most difficult turn in the Championship?  

Mmmmm… Turn 14, Malaysia.

How do you know if the lap you are doing is good?

We have a reference on the steering wheel that updates itself every metre on the track and shows you the difference with the best lap time you’ve done – which it memorizes. So, for example, when I go out for Q2, I have a reference of my Q1 lap time. On the straights you usually look at it to know how the lap is going and how much more you can improve on the last turns.

In a wet race, when you are behind some other cars and you have almost no visibility, are you scared?

I wouldn’t say I’m scared, because fear and competition aren’t compatible. Of course, when you are driving down a straight at 300 km/h and you can´t see a thing, and you can´t stop accelerating because the driver who is behind you can´t see you either… It isn’t nice, trust me.

Alonso also didn't spare to criticise the Pirelli tyres

How much rubber in centimetres does a tyre lose per race?

New tyres don´t even have a centimetre! They lose about 4 or 5 millimetres… (Pirelli sure wouldn't like to hear that :))

If you had to choose between breaking strongly off line with a lot of marbles, or driving on the grass at 300 km/h… What would you do?

You wouldn’t brake hard in neither case; you’re more likely to carry out a manoeuvre to save that turn and try to recover the time on the next laps, but I think I prefer grass to marbles.

What is the best feeling when you are driving a Formula 1 car?

Turning and braking. Ferrari’s most powerful road cars can give you a similar sensation when accelerating to that of a Formula 1 car. But no car will ever get close, not even a bit, to the turning and brake force of an F1 car.   At 300km/h, senses are reduced to 80%.

Do you work on intuition techniques or mental control?

No. I knew nothing about the senses! I’ve been behind a wheel for 27 years, maybe they’re already used to going at 300km/h…ha ha ha

When you brake, Do you stop accelerating completely? Or do you tap the accelerator when you reduce gear?

You stop accelerating completely. In the past, in other categories, you had to do it. Anyways, you can adjust the engine brake with the 1000 buttons you have on the steering wheel in order to have more or less effect –depending on the turns.  

Do you consider yourself a cautious driver? Do you think that you have lost aggressiveness as you have become older?

I don´t think I am a cautious driver: I think I am a competitive driver and a fighter until the very last lap of the Grand Prix. With more or less success, better or worst results, but I’ve always got a fighter’s spirit. I don’t think I’ve lost aggressiveness over the years, I’ve achieved the biggest comebacks of my life in the last two years. 

Do you still share the money you win after a victory with your mechanics?

Yes, I think it´s fair to share with those who have helped you to get on the podium or win a race. It would be unfair for me to take all the credit.

Have you ever driven being injured? What injuries?

Yes, sometimes. Sometimes you have muscular injuries, like a micro tear caused in training, tendinitis, a neck strain as a result of fatigue… But it’s just like in any other sport. I think the time I suffered most was at the beginning of last season, when I was suffering from an injury to the sciatic nerve which caused me a lot of pain to the leg towards the end of races. I also had a fever in a couple of races: at the end of the race I felt as if I was at the very limit of my strengths.

What’s been the toughest GP for you to take on psychologically?

The 2009 Valencia Grand Prix, just a few days after my grandmother’s death.

Follow Fernando Alonso on Twitter - www.twitter.com/alo_oficial

on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/FernandoAlonsoOficial

Alonso speaks to fans

Discussion started by Ferrari (IP Logged), 06/05/2012 14:11

Ferrari
06/05/2012 14:11

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