The Spain Grand Prix 2006

Summary: For the first time Fernando Alonso won in his own land. Alonso won at Barcelona the Spain Grand Prix with 130,000 persons as witnesses last Sunday (May 14th).

For the first time Fernando Alonso won in his own land. Alonso won at Barcelona the Spain Grand Prix with 130,000 persons as witnesses last Sunday (May 14th). The Formula One Grand Prix hadn't been that popular in Spain until Alonso entered the competition. Even though it has had important pilots like Mansell, Senna and Schumacher. For example, the European Grand Prix that took place at Jerez. Only 20,000 persons attended to the event. On the other hand, 100,000 spectators attended the equivalent bike race. For the Spain Grand Prix, tickets were sold out two years ago. This is a new record, since the Formula One events have always been transmitted only by a small TV channel in Spain but now is part of the big TVE station getting to a much bigger national and international audience. As Alonso said, he won last year's title but this one makes him feel better since he performed greatly in his own country. Giving his countrymen the pride and the excitement of seeing him achieve the victory. Fernando Alonso Diaz, who was born on July 29th, 1981 in Oviedo Spain, won the World Driver's Championship title when he was 24 years old, breaking Emerson Fittipaldi's record of being the youngest Formula One Champion. With this victory, Alonso also ended M. Schumacher's run of five consecutive championships. Alonso who at the present time is running for Renault, has been awarded the 2005 Prince of Asturias Award of Sports, the youngest to receive the prize Alonso and McLaren's principal Ron Dennis announced on December 2005, that Fernando will be moving to McLaren for the 2007 season.