Alonso: It’s up to us!

Fernando Alonso has won twice here in the Principality and he was clearly in up-beat mood when he met the press in the Ferrari media hospitality unit this afternoon. He was asked first about the open letter addressed to everyone within Ferrari, by Luca di Montezemolo earlier this week. “Our President spoke about our chances and always wants to motivate everyone at Ferrari,” began the Spaniard. “We know we were not so competitive in the first five races, but all the same we got enough points to put us in a good position to fight for the title. I completely agree with the President, it’s up to us. If we do a good job of improving the car and making it quicker, then we have a chance, but if we don’t and are not fast enough, then we will never win the championship this year. It is a motivation for everyone at Ferrari to know that, despite the bad start, we do have that chance. Everyone at the factory is giving 100% and hopefully that will work.”

Fernando often has a unique perspective on racing and his views on this most famous race are certainly not the norm among his fellow drivers. “I don’t think the track is particularly difficult or interesting compared to other street circuits like Singapore or amazing tracks like Suzuka or Spa where you really enjoy the lap,” he began. “Here it is not a case of enjoying the lap so much in terms of driving, but the whole weekend is fantastic in terms of the atmosphere, the crowd, the paddock and the pit lane itself. It is truly unique in every way, being the most prestigious and glamorous race on the calendar with a lot of history behind it. You have closer contact with the fans here and you walk from the paddock and you meet fans that way and there are also many events with sponsors who take advantage of the unique opportunities here. Whenever you see advertising anywhere in the world, with video games for example, the advertising always features a photo from Monaco, one car passing another in the tunnel. The track is therefore the least important factor of the Monaco Grand Prix, with everything around it having a greater importance. We all like to win here because of that, because winning one time in your life here in Monaco is something that will be remembered forever. Hopefully, if we have a good race here, then we will pick up points that will be welcome for our championship hopes. We could dream a bit more and consider the victory: if that happened we will be extremely happy, firstly because it has been many years since Ferrari has won in Monte Carlo and from a personal point of view, I could become the only driver to win for three different teams. I have a long term contract with Ferrari, so if that does not happen this year, I know it will come sooner or later.”

Between the sacred and the profane, a new helmet for Alonso

On the eve of free practice which signals the start of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, Fernando Alonso revealed to those in the paddock a new helmet that he has personally designed especially for this race. It was first seen on Twitter and boasts a white and gold livery, dedicated to the Principality and games of chance. It also features numbers that have a special significance in his life and in the history of the Scuderia, represented by the Ferrari 158, which was given its debut here in Monaco by Englishman John Surtees who went on to win the 1964 World Championship in that car. The helmet will be auctioned, with proceeds going to projects aimed at road safety for children run by the foundation that bears his name. It features a mix of strong emotions from the Asturian driver, who wanted to mix elements of the sacred and profane. The top of the helmet features cards, dice, chips, a roulette wheel and a yacht. In another reference to Ferrari, the back of the helmet bears the slogan “Bet on Red.” One of the most significant elements is the Cross of Victoria, a famous piece of pre-Roman Asturian art, which can be found in the Sacristy of the Salvatore Cathedral in his home town of Oviedo and which has become a symbol for Asturia. It bears the Latin inscription “Hoc tuetur segno Pio. Hoc vincitur segno inimicus” (“With this sign thou shalt defend the pious, with this sign thou shalt defeat the enemy.”) As for the numbers, starting with the lowest, there is a 5, representing Alonso’s car number, 14, a number that’s special to him, 19, his fastest race laps and corners at Monaco, 20, his poles in Formula 1, 30, his age, 70, for the Monaco Grand Prix’s seventieth anniversary, 75 his F1 podiums and 78, the number of race laps here.