It’s been 20 since Fernando Alonso made his Formula debut at the 2001 Austrian Grand Prix. The fresh-faced Spaniard drove for Minardi in his rookie season. But the two-time world champion initially did not deliver the results everyone expected from him.

Alonso, while looking back at his 20-year journey in F1, mentioned he was not fully confident when he made his debut. He stated he felt did not belong at the grid and took his time to settle in the sport.

WATCH STORY: Wives & Girlfriends of Current F1 Superstars

I was thinking that Formula 1 was not my place: Fernando Alonso

As reported by Motorsportweek, the two-time world champion mentioned he was very stressed before his opening race in Australia. He could not believe that he was on the same grid as Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen.

“Probably… in 2012 or 13. Yeah. To be honest, after 10 years. I was coming from a modest family, and all the Formula 1 environment it was… not fake, but it was a strange world for me.” said Alonso when he was finally comfortable in F1.

Trending

Daniel Ricciardo To Be Replaced by Liam Lawson After Miami, F1 Pundit Dishes Out Harsh Verdict After Australian’s “Amateur Mistake”

April 17, 2024 11:14 AM EDT

Max Verstappen “On Ice” as Return to China Goes Badly for Christian Horner and Co

April 19, 2024 10:58 AM EDT

Adrian Newey Hits Out at Climate Activist Lewis Hamilton’s Fuel Protest, Desperate to See V10 Engines Again

April 15, 2024 12:35 PM EDT

Taylor Swift’s Tortured Poets Department Sends F1 Fans Into a Frenzy: “Its a Fernando Reference”

April 19, 2024 09:43 AM EDT

Who are Zhou Guanyu’s Parents? Everything We Know About The Chinese Driver’s Family

April 16, 2024 02:07 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

“It was a shock always when you arrive into Formula 1, as there are many differences compared to the younger categories,” said Alonso.

“ [Being] 19 years old, being the first time there, it was a shock for sure. I was thinking that Formula 1 was not my place, probably. I was coming from a very small town in Spain, with no Formula 1 background or anything.

Wanted to be World Champion one day and to achieve the maximum, but it was like a very optimistic dream.” said Alonso.

Who Has Fernando Alonso Dated? A List of His Girlfriends From the Past

Two-time world champion on his journey with Renault

Alonso mentioned it was important for him to perform well in his debut season to impress Renault. He also explained that he was always linked with the French outfit, so a move to the team was inevitable.

“From the very beginning I was linked with Renault, and this team obviously means a lot to me, and for my career,” said Alonso.

“And even if it changed a lot in 20 years, it remains the same DNA it’s a team that is a bit more of a family environment than a team. It is very serious about performance, and professionalism, but in a relaxed environment.

So that’s the same now. I didn’t know how I’d find the team in 2020 after 10 years [away] but I found the team exactly the same.” said Alonso.

Fernando Alonso went onto win two titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006. Despite having two decades in the game, Alonso is still a formidable force on the grid. He’s had several notable moments across his storied career that fans continue to look back fondly at.

Tell us your favorite Alonso moment in F1.