The Standpoint

Alonso to be back in business

By

Abhishek Mukherjee

Line-ups of most teams the next season are all set for a major shuffle when double World Champion Fernando Alonso will be seen driving a Ferrari. As a replacement for the mercurial Finn Kimi Raikkonen, the Spanish driver has agreed to a three-year deal with the Italian giants to partner recuperating Massa. New recruit Fisichella will remain with the outfit as a test driver.

Confessing his move to Ferrari as a dream come true, Alonso expressed that he wanted to finish his career with the Red outfit, and that it would be difficult to fill the boots of legend Michael Schumacher.

“It will be not easy and I don't arrive there just to do the same as Michael. I'd like to do the same and win many championships but I think it's going to be very, very difficult,” he added. Comparisons are also drawn between the two because both were nurtured to drivers’ titles by Flavio Briatore, who now faces a life ban for involvement in the ‘crashgate’ controversy (guilty of race fixing the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix).

His deal would mean that Raikkonen could return to his earlier team McLaren to partner current World Champion Lewis Hamilton, making it a mouth-watering prospect of witnessing an exciting rivalry involving arguably two best teams in the current F1 generation. Spanish fans would be once again hoping to see their hero win the title again reminiscent of the glory in 2005 and ’06.

Having started his career in top flight motorsports in 2001 with Minardi, the prodigious Alonso soon earned a name for himself for his excellent driving skills and remarkable talent. He was made the test driver for Renault by Briatore the next year, and in 2003, partnered Jarno Trulli in the second Renault. He became the youngest grand prix race winner, the youngest Driver to score a podium position, and the youngest driver to set the fastest lap in Formula One in the season. He continued the good work the following year too, finishing fourth in the championship.

Come 2005, his dream of being a Formula One champion was realised. He overcame the stiff competition from Raikkonen in McLaren to become the youngest world champion at 24 years 58 days at the Brazilian Grand Prix to end Schumacher’s five-year winning streak. He again claimed the title the following season.

His move to McLaren proved inauspicious, and two indifferent seasons for mediocre Renault meant he was only waiting for an opportunity to be a part of the best team. It was only a matter of time before the Ferrari deal came his way. His above mentioned records were broken only by the 2008 season, but he still is the youngest double world champion, and expectations are exceedingly high. It will be extremely tough for him, however, as other champion drivers in the Raikkonens, Vettels and Hamiltons are sure to breathe down his neck.

Polish driver Robert Kubica is expected to replace him in the Renault team going through turmoil following ‘crashgate’. Expect a season full of extraordinary drama, competition and excitement next season onwards.