Alonso: "never forget those who suffer"

Fernando Alonso was on hand for the second and final day of Wrooom Summer 2011. The Spanish driver arrived in Madonna di Campiglio late last night in a Ferrari FF and he spent today taking a long walk against the breathtaking backdrop of the Dolomites at Brenta, as well as tackling a daredevil downhill ride on a mountain bike, accompanied by Stefano Domenicali, as well as the group of Italian and international journalists taking part in the event.

“Events like these are special because, for once, they allow you to spend time together away from the frenetic pace of the race track and the working environment of the factory,” said Fernando when he met the press. “We also come here to Madonna di Campiglio at the beginning of January and then there are also more private occasions, in which I can get together with the engineers and mechanics. It’s a nice way to get to know one another better and to find the sort of understanding you get with a second family. I think these events are part of what makes Ferrari a special team, different from all the others. I must admit I also love coming to the mountains: around Oviedo there are more places like these than beaches and my next door neighbours are cows, just like the one we came across strolling through the Dolomites today.”

Wrooom provided Fernando with an opportunity to look further afield than the small world of Formula 1. “Today, we are here in the mountains, in a fantastic place, but we must never forget there are many people in the world less fortunate than us. I’m not just thinking of those who are suffering because of the economic crisis, but more of those who are literally struggling to survive, dying of starvation, as is happening now in the Horn of Africa. As you know, I am an ambassador for UNICEF, because I believe that famous people can at least get the message across in a strong way and to as many people as possible: that’s why I wear the logo of the United Nations humanitarian organisation on my race suit. But everyone, can do their bit to help…”

Fernando has also played a part in setting up two schools in a favela in Sao Paolo, Brazil.