At just 20 years old, Fernando Alonso was one of the youngest drivers on the Formula One circuit when he began his career in 2001.
Like many of his colleagues and competitors, Alonso began karting at a very young age and moved up the ranks quickly. He won the Euro-Open Movistar Nissan single-seater series in 1999 with nine pole positions, six wins, and eight fast laps. He then finished fourth in the F3000 Championship in 2000, where he scored three fast laps, one pole position, and one win at Spa-Francorchamps.
In 2001, Alonso made his F1 debut with Minardi. The following year he joined Renault as its test driver. He gained a race seat with the team in 2003 and was hailed as the next Michael Schumacher. In Malaysia that year, he became the youngest ever pole sitter. He scored his first victory in Hungary, lapping Schumacher in the process.
In 2004 he finished fourth in the standings with four podium finishes, the best, second, in France.
Alonso dominated the field in 2005, consistently finishing on the podium in all but four races. Consequently, he became the first Spaniard and youngest driver to capture the Driver's World Championship Crown.
While facing a strong challenge from Michael Schumacher and Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, Alonso was able to once again score a championship "double" in 2006 - winning both the Drivers' World Championship and helping Renault F1 Team win the Constructor's Championship. He was able to keep his crowns by winning seven races and finishing on the podium 14 times that season.
But in 2007, the Spaniard moved to McLaren-Mercedes partnering with rookie Lewis Hamilton. The year was not a happy one for Alonso, who felt overshadowed by the stellar rookie. Alonso posted four wins and did contend for the title, but saw it slip away from him at the very end. Also, the team was rocked by a spy scandal with Ferrari that didn't sit well with the former champion.
In 2008, Alonso left McLaren Mercedes two years early to rejoin with Renault. After a challenging start to the year, Alonso found his stride in the second half of the season, scoring more points than any other driver in the final eight races, and capturing back-to-back victories in Singapore and Japan to end the season fifth in the drivers' world championship. He helped the team secure fourth place in the constructors' championship.
