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Thread: Fernando Alonso answered questions from fans

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    Fernando Alonso answered questions from fans

    Hi everyone! As I promised, I have already read all the questions that you have sent to my Twitter and Facebook accounts. I´ve worked flat out! You´ve made me sweat blood!! Even more than in the car! Altogether, more than 7.000 questions that have livened up our neverending flights from one GP to another! I´m still amazed at the amount of support I receive from you, and I´ll never get tired of thanking you. It seems that you are really enjoying the pictures, videos and messages that we are uploading, and not only on my account. As I mentioned last time, my physios, Fabrizio and Edoardo, and my manager, Luis, have also set themselves the target of giving you a firsthand insight of this wonderful world, and everything that surrounds it. And, whilst we’re at it, you’ll get to know me a little bit better ;) Yes… We spend half our lives on planes, working out very hard, working on the simulator, with the rest of the team in Maranello, attending the media, going to the events scheduled by the Scuderia and the sponsors… You’ve already seen it! But we also have some time to relax that we wanted to share with all of you – you´ve always been part of this team, which is my second family. You´ve asked me to be honest and sincere in my answers. And I always will be, never doubt that. As I clarify in the interview, I´ve always shown myself as I am, although I have had to see myself –and not recognize myself- on lots of front covers of newspapers. For the things that really matter, I´m still the same person: the same guy that made his debut in F1 eleven years ago. I don´t consider myself different from anybody else: I miss the people who matter to me as any of you would do if you had to spend more than 280 nights far away from home because of your job. When I put on my overall, I´m competitive and a real fighter until the last lap. When I take it off, I´m a son, a brother and a friend, like any of you. I´ve been asked in a lot of messages about my teammates. I´d like to clarify, once and for all, my unconditional support for Stefano and Felipe. As I explain to you, it´s always easy to praise when things go well, but it´s even easier to criticize when things go bad. I also want to thank you for the messages I received yesterday. But we didn´t give it any importance since it was only a crash at 7 km/h… I´ve answered a large amount of questions: once more, I´ve been impressed by your imagination. By the way, Did you know that I collect all my grid mates’ helmets? And that my favorite corner in the Championship is turn 14 at Sepang? Mmmmm…There are more curiosities below. I hope you enjoy it!
    __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _______________________________________

    Forza_Nando (TT) Which is, in your opinion, the most difficult turn in the Championship? Mmmm… Turn 14, Malaysia.

    jclancha72 (TT) How do you know if the lap you are doing is good? Is it because of the timer on the steering wheel or do you have a sixth sense? Because with those differences…
    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.

    Nacho_2810p (TT) 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.

    Jose Antonio Fenollosa (FB) How much rubber in centimetres does a tyre lose per race? New rubbers don´t even have a centimetre! They lose about 4 or 5 millimetres…

    JuancalabuigVK (TT) Do you feel capable of completing a lap in a Formula 1 car through the old Nurburgring?
    Yes. Why not? There are places and corners where a current F1 would have problems with the pot holes and bankings, but you can do a lap anywhere.

    enderxe 2 (TT) 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?
    Mmm… 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.

    Javi_Fonte 2 (TT) What is the best feeling when you are driving a Formula 1 car? Turns? Acceleration?
    Turns 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.

    armandozzz1 (TT) 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

    Art_jmartinez (TT) 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.

    Jessica Jorge Fernandez (FB) Hello, my question is: On trips between different Grands Prix, Do you fly with conventional airlines? Or do you use a Ferrari charter flight? Good luck and enjoy the weekend… And the next ones… We fly with conventional airlines. For some of the European races the team charters flights, together with Toro Rosso, coming out of Italy. If I am in Italy before or after the race, I join them!

    Emmanuella Zarraga (FB) Hello Fer. What do you do once the race is finished? Where do you go? When the race is finished, you have to weigh yourself and attend the different televisions. Then you change your clothes, have a shower and attend the written media. After that you have an afternoon snack and go to the post race briefing with all the engineers, which usually takes one hour, and is where you review all the information of the GP. Then, to the airport: sometimes you go home, sometimes you go to a sponsor event, sometimes to Italy to work on the simulator…

    Hello Fer! What is the difference between the way you train with @fabrifisio and @edo_osteo? I´ve been working with Fabrizio Borra for a lot of years. He´s in charge of the technical parameters and also assesses my fitness and medical aspects. With Edoardo Bendinelli it´s more physical training, working on improving my fitness. With training and osteopathic techniques we can always maintain our bodies at its 100% potential. With the preparation I receive from both of them, I am ready to take on the demands of, not only a driver, but any sport you can imagine. So it’s safe to say I’m in good hands…

    Nacho_2810p (TT) 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.

    catalogomonster.jimd @jab… (TT) 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.

    Bina Hdez Van Massenhove (FB) There are girls driving in Moto GP, and we have already seen female test drivers in F1. What do you think about driving alongside women?
    It would be fantastic to share the grid with female drivers. I think it´s one of the bases of any sport, a coming together, with everyone practicing sport in equal terms.

    luigimaranello (TT) All athletes have injuries. 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.

    María Cristina Rama Gómez (FB)How do you manage to stop a bad moment in your personal life from affecting your performance in a Grand Prix?
    When you step into one of these cars, believe me, you’re not thinking about anything else.

    María Cristina Rama Gómez (FB) Do you think Massa is a Ferrari driver as of today? I insist, as of today.
    He´s one of the best drivers in the world, and he has shown it during his whole career. It’s easy to praise when you have a good car but also to criticize when you have a bad one. I lived similar situations during my last stint at Renault, when some of my teammates were unfairly criticized and now, they are being praised once again.

    María Cristina Rama Gómez (FB) Do you think McLaren could have made changes to your car at any GP in 2007 without telling you? I don´t know, but it isn´t important now. I´ve been lucky enough to compete for McLaren and give my 100% to help what was my team at that time.

    María Cristina Rama Gómez (FB) Do you think that Ferrari would do better if Briatore took over Domenicali´s job?
    Stefano´s work is fantastic in every sense and I can´t think of anyone better than him. As I explained before, it only takes one race to pass from criticism to praise. I’m very good friends with Flavio and we talk frequently. He´s one of the most intelligent people I´ve ever met.

    María Cristina Rama Gómez (FB) What’s been the toughest GP for you to take on psychologically? Why? Have you ever doubted your driving skills?
    The 2009 Valencia Grand Prix, just a few days after my grandmother’s death. No, I´ve never doubted my chances.
    Last edited by Kyss4k; 4th May 2012 at 15:58.

    IF YOU CAN DREAM IT, YOU CAN DO IT - ENZO FERRARI

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    Ste (TT) What are your thoughts on teaming up with Alain Prost next year? We've heard rumors that he may come in and replace Felipe. No comment.

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    catalogomonster.jimd @jab… (TT) 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.
    Forza Ferrari

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    Quote Originally Posted by Homan13PSU View Post

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    That's an amazing interview with Fernando. Such a fantastic insight into a great guy. Thanks for sharing.

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    Thanks for the share

    That person Maria sure knows how to ask all the right questions

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    Great read. Fernando's brilliant on Twitter, we're really getting to see the proper person behind all the rubbish written about him in the past few years.
    Forza Jules

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    Quote Originally Posted by Suzie View Post
    Great read. Fernando's brilliant on Twitter, we're really getting to see the proper person behind all the rubbish written about him in the past few years.
    Yeah, I'm really enjoying following his tweets

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    Quote Originally Posted by Sianellen View Post
    Yeah, I'm really enjoying following his tweets
    Yep. I find it very informative when he posts photos of himself. Ahem.
    Forza Jules

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    Quote Originally Posted by Suzie View Post
    Yep. I find it very informative when he posts photos of himself. Ahem.
    Hehe, very indeed

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    thanks for sharing

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    I really get annoyed when watching F1 on Dutch telivision. They all have something against Fernando. Every single race they have something negative to say about him. I don't really know where all the hate for him comes from here in Holland. Even in the newspapers, online forums almost everyone here is so negative about him. To think they adore Hamilton, Vettel and possibly everyone else in formula 1 but Alonso, is just a mystery to me.

    Anyhow, with this Q&A we again can see how a wonderful, kindhearted person he is.

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    I think it just automatically happens when someone is winning or ever does something slightly controversial - Michael had it for years, during which time Fernando was liked because he was challenging Ferrari. Then when he went to McLaren suddenly people started turning against him.

    Seb had it last year also to a certain degree... he was seen as a real breath of fresh air when he started doing well, but then last year he started to get it in the neck too because he was winning all the time.
    Forza Jules

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    It all comes from the BS the brithish press spreaded to the world starting from 2007.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Aruba View Post
    I really get annoyed when watching F1 on Dutch telivision. They all have something against Fernando. Every single race they have something negative to say about him. I don't really know where all the hate for him comes from here in Holland. Even in the newspapers, online forums almost everyone here is so negative about him. To think they adore Hamilton, Vettel and possibly everyone else in formula 1 but Alonso, is just a mystery to me.

    Anyhow, with this Q&A we again can see how a wonderful, kindhearted person he is.
    I agree , Alonso is not particularly popular in the Dutch media. But then again, who cares what the media say?
    At least I don't take them serious for one moment.
    You can run like the wind, but you'll never outrun the Prancing Horse

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    Quote Originally Posted by Greig View Post
    Wow. Just wow. We need to make him a winning car, dang it.

    -Lou(is)
    Forza
    Ferrari 16/15

    Totus Tuus


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    Fantastic interview. Thanks for posting it Kyss4K

    Why did María Cristina Rama Gómez get to ask so many questions? Is she a reporter?

    -Lou(is)
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    Totus Tuus


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    Second part:

    http://www.fernandoalonso.com/en/col...e-la-parrilla/

    It took me forever to access the website.

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    So great that Alonso is doing this. I appreciate him even more after reading his answers.

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    Love seeing a different side to the focussed and single-minded driver!!
    Grazie!!

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    I think Fernando wasn't especially interested in web sites and Twittering a while back ( his web site was awful IMO, unrecognisably better now) but he said in an earlier twitter that his then wife had recommended he did it to get his side of the Alonso story out there instead of his reputation being continually mauled by reporters wth their own agendas who misquoted/ misrepresented him.

    Seems to have done the trick so far. Great

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    I have learned so much about him just out of these questions, great thing he is doing!
    http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lo52ws9xLo1qlt7lao1_500.gif

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    Oh, and there is a part 2 to this Twitter session with more personal questions - like perhaps being a maths teacher if he hadn't been a sportsman!! -if you go on the Alonso website today.

    Keep trying - looks like all the world's on it at present.
    Last edited by Alessandra; 6th May 2012 at 17:57.

  24. #24
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    A few more Q&A with Fernando

    Face to face with Fernando

    Here the second chapter of the virtual meeting through which Fernando Alonso replies to many questions sent to him via his Twitter and Facebook accounts. The answers can be found on the Spanish driver’s site, www.fernandoalonso.com, while here we publish those answers that touch on the subject ‘Fernando’.

    Aarón Ruiz @ hharry33 (TT)
    Pizza or sandwich? Beach or mountain? Dog or cat? Series or film? Champions League final or NBA finals?

    Pizza, mountain, dog, series, mmm… Probably NBA…

    Patricia @ Khaleesi_P (TT)
    How long is your bed? On what side of the bed do you sleep? How many hours do you usually sleep? Do you snore? Do you dream?

    I spend more than 270 nights sleeping in hotels, so I don´t know how long it is… ;)) The bigger, the better!! Right side, 9-10 hours, I don´t snore (I sleep-talk sometimes). I don´t usually dream.

    ArMandoErtaco (TT)
    Are you afraid of travelling alone being who you are?

    I don´t think I am different to anybody else!!! No, I´m not scared… :))

    Javibega 49 (TT)
    Is it hard for you to live so far away from your family and friends? You´ve been travelling around the world for so many years…

    Try and imagine it! It must be hard for any human being not to be with the people who matter most to them 270 nights a year.

    hernandezarenes (TT)
    What is your favorite quote?

    “Piano piano, si arriva lontano.”

    xbqq (TT)
    #askAlo Hola! Have you ever imagined what you would have been if you weren’t an F1 driver? Who would you be? What kind of job would you have? What kind of life would you live?

    I love sports, so I imagine myself doing a different sport (cycling, football…). If not, maybe I would have studied Mathematics and become a teacher (it was my favourite subject at school) :))))

    Ewa :) @ LillaMyF1 (TT)
    #askAlo A simple question: Are you ambidextrous? In some photos it looks like you using your left hand and in others your right one ;))

    That’s difficult to answer… ;)) I’ve used my left hand to write since I was a kid, but at school, teachers always tried to make me change to my right hand. So I’m a bit of a mix now, I’ve got more strength with my left, I play football with my right, tennis with my left for serving and right for playing… So, as I said, it’s difficult to answer, I guess we can say ambidextrous!! ;))

    Francesca Manes (FB)
    What is the thing you most hate doing?

    To iron shirts!!

    Nyiraty Szabolcs (FB)
    Is there any place you have never been and would like to visit?

    The North Pole.

    javyRayo (TT)
    Could you define in one word: Spain, Italy, Ferrari, Real Madrid and yourself?

    Spain: Life
    Italy: Tradition
    Ferrari: Passion
    Real Madrid: Friends
    Myself: …?? Warrior

    Xixipetit 35 (TT)
    Where, when, how and with whom did you start cycling? What do you like more road cycling or mountain bike? Greetings from Mallorca.

    I started cycling with my father when I was a child, and then on my own. It´s a sport where you need nothing more than a bike and a helmet to get to know yourself and your body, teach it to suffer and sacrifice itself. I prefer road cycling…

    dona_fan ... (TT)
    How many languages can you speak? Good luck for Sunday and for the rest of the year.

    Spanish, Italian, English and French.

    Asuncion Fernandez Diaz (FB)
    How many driving licenses do you have? I mean: motorcycles, cars, trucks, planes…

    Hi! I have a car and motorcycle licence.

    dsg2107 (TT)
    Why have you waited so long to show the Fernando of now and let another image of you be created?

    I think I´ve always shown myself as I am. People that have known me for years usually say that I haven´t changed. In fact, I think that essentially I have the same views as before on important things. Many times when I read my quotes on the covers of newspapers I feel very distant from that character. It’s as if it’s not me. Then you see columns making opinions, signed by people who don’t even know you and have never spoken to you. Between one thing and another, a character has been created which has nothing or little to do with me…Until now…

    adferfer 7 (TT)
    How is your track in Asturias doing?

    I´d like to say that it´s going well. The circuit is completely finished. We are talking about the best go-kart track in the world, and something that I’m very excited about for the coming years. But that´s a reality that comes hand in hand with a very different one. The construction of the museum is delayed and I’m afraid that we’re not going to be able to inaugurate the facilities this year, as we would have liked. Every attempt we’ve made to unblock the situation has crashed the current political situation in Asturias. We’re going to continue to wait, but won’t do so indefinitely…

    Lidia Baños @ lidia_dean (TT)
    What is the funniest thing the press has said about you?

    I´ve got some very good friends that are journalists. It´s a subject that we usually laugh about at almost every Grand Prix. Rarely do you find a week without a dramatic scoop. I´ve had to read how my best friend was flying the plane I crashed with in Kenya, meetings and impossible signings with other teams… So many times people come up to me and say to me: “I know you can’t say anything about it, but I’ve heard that…”. What are you supposed to answer? If you can´t say anything!! ahahah

    Mayte Mariño Alvarez (FB)
    Which book have you read and said…? Wow!! It’s worth reading again… Good luck for this weekend, Kiddo!

    The way of the Samurai, The art of war, and The Assassins´ Bridge (written by Pérez Reverte), they kept me company during the Asian swing.

    Maria Cristina Rama (FB)
    I guess you are aware of the jokes Buenafuente makes to persuade you to go to his TV show. Will you ever go?

    Never say never. If he still has a show on TV in the future…

    María Cristina Rama Gómez (FB)
    Who did you first call after that third position in Brazil 2005?

    My mother.

    María Cristina Rama Gómez (FB)
    Recently you said that it was easier to see you winning the Championship, than for Real Madrid to do the double. Are you so sure about it?

    This is an example of how they alter what you say. During a radio interview, I was asked the one million dollar question: “What is easier? For you to win the Championship or for Madrid to do the double?” The first thing that goes through your mind is to say that you don’t know and that both cases are very difficult. But as the whole interview has a pessimistic tone and given the car’s performance so far, I said: “It’s easier for me to win”. And you get a good laugh out of it just by seeing the look on their faces! If you listen to the interview that’s the tone and intention of the answer. What you read one day later in big bold letters makes them sell more newspapers but it doesn’t tell the truth.

    http://www.ferrari.com/English/Formu...-fernando.aspx
    #KeepFightingMichael | #CiaoJules

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    Looking at Fernando's Tweets it seems that the interview posted above, received 1,000,000 hits.

    I'm no expert on numbers visiting websites, but that sounds like a hell of a lot to me! For just one interview.

    Bet Dutch & UK commentators don't get that much interest in their opinions on this and that

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    Parts of that even appeared on german RTL videotext. Maybe Fernando should rather let his fans make the interviews then the journalists...they are doing waaayyyyyyy better.

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    Fantastic additions! Thanks guys

    IF YOU CAN DREAM IT, YOU CAN DO IT - ENZO FERRARI

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    jamesallenonf1.com

    Alonso takes over the WWW!

    Tomorrow the world!

    PS In the context of the James Allen piece it should be said that Felipe has been twittering too. For around the same period of time as Fernando I'd guess.
    Last edited by Alessandra; 7th May 2012 at 16:10.

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    Wonderful insight into formula 1's currently best driver! This guy is going to lead ferrari to winning championships again, i'm sure of it! ()

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    Great questions. Greater answers.

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