Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso: Early Life, Career, Injuries & Net Worth

Are you a Formula one fan? Then you must know and love Fernando Alonso. He is a racing driver currently racing for Alpine in Formula One.

He has been actively racing since 1999 to this day. Thus, as a veteran, Alonso has gathered a lot of fans and admirers.

He knows that age is no barrier. Thus Fernando started racing as one of the youngest drivers in Formula One.

And even today, at 42, he is pretty active.

Many fans want to know about Alonso’s life and what he does besides racing. Alonso inspires many, and many fans want to be like him.

Fernando Alonso is presented with the 2005 World Championship Award (Source: Motorsport Images)
Fernando Alonso is presented with the 2005 World Championship Award (Source: Motorsport Images)

If you are one of those, you have come to the right article. Stay with us until the article’s end to learn more about Fernando’s incredible life!

Before that, let us look at some quick facts about Fernando Alonso.

Quick Facts

Full Name Fernando Alonso Diaz
Birth Date July 29, 1981
Birth Place Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Residence Asturias, Spain
Religion Christianity
Nationality Spanish
Ethnicity Hispanic, White
Hobbies Swimming, Traveling
Food Habit Non-vegetarian
Education
  • Holy Guardian Angel Primary School.
  • Institute Leopoldo Alas Clarín of San Lazaro.
Zodiac Sign Leo
Father’s Name Jose Luiz Alonso
Mother’s Name Ana Marina Diaz Martinez
Age 42 Years Old
Height 1.73 meters (5 ft 8 inch)
Weight 68 kg (150 lbs)
Car Number 14
Eye Color Hazel
Hair Color Dark Brown
Body type Lean, Athletic
Profession Racing Driver
Associated Teams Alpine F1 Racing team
Partner’s name Linda Morselli
Partner’s profession Actress
Active Years
1999-Present
Children None
Siblings 1 (Lorena Alonso Diaz)
Net Worth $220 million 
Social Media Instagram, Twitter, Facebook
Website www.fernandoalonso.com
Merch Greenlight, Hat
Last Update March 2024

Fernando Alonso: Early Life, Education & Family

Who are Fernando Alonso’s parents and siblings?

Alonso was born to his father, Jose Luiz Alonso, and his mother, Ana Maria Diaz Martinez.

Additionally, he has one sibling, elder sister Lorena Alonso Diaz. Currently, Lorena works as a doctor.

Ana worked in a local department store, whereas Jose worked in the mining industry.

Moreover, his father was an explosives expert and a massive kart racing fan. Jose also tried his hands at racing but gave up later.

Alonso was born on July 29, 1981, in Oviedo, in the Asturias region of Northern Spain. His full name is Fernando Alonso Diaz. Moreover, Diaz is his mother’s maiden name.

As his father was a keen amateur kart racer and racing enthusiast, he introduced Fernando and Lorena to racing at a young age.

Lorena, unlike her brother, was not interested in racing. Meanwhile, Fernando picked it up and enjoyed racing like his father.

When Alonso was three, Jose built them a pedal kart in the form of a realistic-looking miniature F1 car. Lorena soon outgrew it, but Alonso climbed up to the cockpit and pretended to drive.

A rare picture of young Anthony and Fernando (Source: F1)
A rare picture of young Anthony and Fernando (Source: F1)

When Alonso was seven, he started competitive kart racing. His interest grew, and he wanted to participate in more competitions.

However, his family was not very wealthy. They could not afford his training fees or his equipment. But his father acted as his mechanic during races.

Likewise, his mother sewed all his racing overalls and adjusted the size as he grew older and more prominent.

His mother also made sure he would score good marks in school. It shows that both of his parents fully supported their son’s interests.

Education

Until 14, Fernando attended a local school in Oviedo named Holy Guardian Angel Primary School. After that, he studied in the Institute Leopoldo Alas Clarín of San Lazaro.

He finished schooling but was more drawn towards racing. His parents permitted him to choose college further away from home. However, he rarely attended classes.

But he asked his classmates for notes and was unproblematic in college.

Fernando Alonso: Height, Weight, and Distinctive Features

Alonso has an average body. He stands 5 ft 8 inches tall (173 cms) and weighs 68 kilograms (150 lbs). Moreover, he has a lean and athletic body type.

Although racing does not require working hard physically, a good physique and a healthy body heal from any injuries quickly.

Moreover, a healthy body leads to a healthy mind, which is essential for racing. Thus, Alonso spends a lot of time working out and has a healthy diet.

Likewise, he belongs to the Hispanic community as he was born in Spain.

He also has many distinctive features that help fans recognize him. He has hazel eyes and light brown hair. Likewise, he sports a rugged beard and tousled hair.

He also has a cute smile and a ‘Samurai’ tattoo. Overall, he has a great body.

Fernando Alonso: Personal Life, Divorce, and Girlfriend

Alonso currently lives in Spain, near to his family. Before 2010, he lived in Switzerland for career purposes.

However, Alonso could not stay away from his family and close friends. Thus, he moved near Asturias.

Alonso is a fitness enthusiast. Likewise, he enjoys spending time with his parents and friends.

During his career, Alonso dated several successful and gorgeous women. He even married once but later got divorced.

Wife and Divorce

Alonso married Spanish singer Raquel del Rosario for about five years. The couple fell in love when Alonso invited Rosario to perform at his private concert.

The couple was entirely private about their love and marital life. However, later reports revealed that they married at a private ceremony on November 17, 2006.

Fernando Alonso(Left) is pictured with his ex-wife Raquel del Rosario (Source: EssentiallySports)
Fernando Alonso(left) is pictured with his ex-wife Raquel del Rosario (Source: EssentiallySports)

Their divorce is because Alonso could not stay loyal to the marriage. Alonso cheated on his wife with a Russian supermodel, Xenia Tchoumitcheva.

Thus, Raquel ended things with Alonso and moved on. They do not have kids together, but Raquel has two sons with her current husband, Pedro Castro.

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Girlfriend

After divorce, Alonso had flings and relationships with many women, most of which are supermodels.

He dated another Russian model, Dasha Kapustina. Paparazzi also photographed him with Laura Alvarez.

Later on, he had a fling with another Russian adult model Viki Odintcova. However, Alonso is serious now in terms of relationships.

He is currently dating Linda Morselli. She is an Italian actress and lives in Milan. However, these two make a long-distance relationship work.

Fernando Alonso: Career

Alonso started his professional career in the 1999 Euro Open. It was an excellent start for him as he won the title in the season’s final race with six wins.

In 2002, Renault signed him as a test driver. Alonso knew that this was great exposure for him.

Moreover, this was a massive opportunity for him to strengthen his skills for the future.

After that, he was promoted to the race team in 2003. In that season’s second race, he broke the record of the youngest driver to win a pole position.

In 2005, Alonso shocked the world as he beat Michael Schumacher to win the San Marino Grand Prix.

Similarly, in 2021, Alonso re-watched his epic win over Michael Schumacher, and the video was uploaded by Formula 1.

He also extended his contract with Renault until 2006. In 2007, he signed for McLaren.

Likewise, that season, Alonso achieved four Grand Prix victories in Malaysia, Monaco, Europe, and Italy.

In 2014, his car’s severe limitations left him winless for the first time in five years.

Likewise, the 2015 season was also the most embarrassing season for him. That year Alonso was classified 17th in the drivers’ standings.

Fernando Alonso (Left) and George Russell (Right) exchanging helmet during Monaco Grand Prix (Source: FormulaRapida)
Fernando Alonso (left) and George Russell (right) exchanging helmets during Monaco Grand Prix (Source: FormulaRapida)

The ranking frustrated him, and he also could not take criticism from the fans. He also met with a massive accident in 2016 in Australia and finished 10th overall.

Moreover, in 2017, he finished 15th overall among the drivers. At the end of the season, McLaren ended its F1 partnership with Honda and switched to Renault.

The failures did not stop Alonso, as his last F1 victory was at his home race in Spain in 2013 with Ferrari. Thus, he announced hiatus from Formula 1 for the 2018-2019 season.

Alonso recently announced his comeback in 2020. Alonso says the hiatus was his “much-needed break.”

Fernando Alonso: Awards and Achievements

  • Autosport Gregor Grant Award (2003)
  • Princess Cristina National Sports Award for a sporting newcomer (2003)
  • Princess of Asturias Award for Sports (2005)
  • Premios Nacionales del Deporte Sportsman of the Year Award (2005)
  • Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sports Merit (2005)
  • Autosport International Racing Driver of the Year (2006)
  • Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year (2017)
  • FIA Hall of Fame (2017)
  • FIA World Endurance Champion (2019)

Fernando Alonso: Injury, Accidents, and Jaw Surgery

Alonso’s list of injuries is as long as his list of achievements. His first Formula 1 injury was in 2001 when the rookie miscalculated out on the track.

One of his most serious injuries was during the 2002 Brazillian Grand Prix when he crashed into the wall.

Likewise, Alonso injured himself in the 2004 Monaco Grand Prix while overtaking another racer.

In the 2007 Japan Grand Prix, he got into a crash due to severe weather conditions.

One of his dramatic injuries was in the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix when racer Romain Grosjean rammed into Lewis Hamilton. The clash also hit Alonso’s car, sending him flying up in the air.

Alonso hurt his back during the 2013 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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Jaw Surgery

Alonso met with an accident in early 2021 that caused him to undergo jaw surgery.

It happened when he was knocked off his bike in Switzerland and fractured his upper jaw. Thus, he underwent surgery to have two titanium plates fitted to aid his recovery.

Thus, the injury forced him to change his training regime. However, Alonso mentions that he returned to his regular fitness routine after nine days of surgery.

Fernando Alonso’s Net Worth

Fernando Alonso’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $220 million.

His net worth comes from deals, salary, and endorsements. Likewise, he promotes various brands, which adds to his value.

He is also the 5th most affluent race driver in the world.

Likewise, he was placed 39th on the Forbes list of Highest-Paid Athletes in 2018. Moreover, his annual salary is a whopping 33 million dollars.

Fernando Alonso is pictured with his racing jacket (Source: F1)
Fernando Alonso is pictured with his racing jacket (Source: F1)

Fernando owns a luxury apartment in a 52-story building in Dubai with his millions.

Likewise, he also owned a mansion in Switzerland and currently owns one in Oxford. He also has several other houses across Europe.

Likewise, he also loves traveling and goes on vacations around the world.

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Fernando Alonso: Social Media

Alonso’s social media is a reflection of his lifestyle. He posts everything, from vacation pictures to brand endorsements.

He also loves connecting and talking to fans on his social media platforms. He is active on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

On Instagram, he has over 4.3 million followers.

Likewise, fans can connect to him via Twitter as well. He has 3.1 million fans on Twitter.

You can also connect to him on Facebook. His official Facebook page has over 2 million followers.

Likewise, he also has an official website. You can get his biography and the merch he sells on his website.

Fernando Alonso: FAQs

Who is Fernando Alonso driving for this year?

In this year, 2021 season, Alonso is driving for Alpine (Renault). He will be going for Alpine for at least the next two seasons.

Who is Fernando Alonso’s lookalike?

The Spanish actor Javier Bardem when he was young, looked similar to Fernando Alonso.

If someone made a documentary about Alonso, Javier would perfectly fit Fernando’s character and appearance.

Additionally, Fernando, Javier, and Penelope Cruz met in the pitlane ahead of the Canadian GP.

Did Fernando Alonso win Le Mans?

Yes, Alonso has won 24 hours of Le Mans twice: in 2018 and 2019.

Did Fernando Alonso sign a contract with Alpine?

After scoring a podium in Qatar in 2021, Alonso signed an Alpine contract.

Additionally, the one-year Alpine contract extension will keep Fernando at Alpine till 2022.

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