Fernando Alonso responds to his fans
The Ferrari driver answers questions posed by his fans on Twitter and Facebook, providing an opportunity for him to renew his confidence in Stefano Domenicali and Felipe Massa, discuss McLaren or even Flavio Briatore, and share his experience as a Formula One driver.
Recently subscribed to Twitter, Fernando Alonso had committed to taking the time to answer his fans’ questions, even though he didn’t have the time to respond directly on social media. As Formula One goes through another three-week “break” between two Grand Prix, the Ferrari driver took the opportunity to answer about twenty questions on his website out of the 7,000 he received on social media: « You have asked me to be honest and sincere in my answers, and I always will be, don’t doubt it. As I say in the interview, I have always shown myself as I am. For the things that really matter, I am always the same person, the same guy who made his F1 debut eleven years ago. I don’t consider myself different from anyone else: the people who matter to me are missed just as they would be missed by you if you had to spend 280 nights away from home because of your job. When I put on my suit, I am a competitor and a true fighter until the last lap. When I take it off, I am a son, a brother, and a friend, just like each of you. I was asked many questions about my teammates: I would like to clarify, once and for all, that I unconditionally support Stefano [Domenicali] and Felipe [Massa]. I also want to thank you for the messages I received on Thursday [editor’s note: Fernando Alonso had an off-track excursion at Mugello] but it was only a crash at 7km/h. »
In your opinion, what is the most difficult corner of the championship?
Mmmm… Turn 14 in Malaysia [note: the last turn before the back straight].
How do you know that the lap you are doing is good? Do you have a stopwatch on the steering wheel or is it a sixth sense? Because with these differences…
« We have an indicator on the steering wheel that updates automatically every meter and shows us the difference compared to the best time we have set and recorded. So, for example, when I go out in Q2, I have my Q1 lap as a reference point. On the straights, we take a look to see how the lap is going and how much we can improve in the final corners. »
During a race in the rain, when you are behind other cars and have almost no visibility, are you scared?
« I wouldn’t say I’m scared because fear and competition are not compatible. Of course, when you’re driving at 300 km/h and you can’t see anything and you can’t slow down because the driver behind you can’t see you either… it’s not pleasant, believe me!
How many centimeters of rubber do tires lose per race?
« The new erasers are not even one centimeter thick! They lose about 4 or 5 millimeters. »
Do you think you would be capable of completing a lap in a Formula One car on the old Nürburgring?
« Yes. Why not? There are places and turns where a modern F1 would have problems with potholes and camber, but you can take a lap [in an F1] on any circuit. »
If you had to choose between braking hard, off trajectory, with lots of rubber deposits, or driving on the grass at 300km/h, what would you do?
Mmm… You wouldn’t brake hard under any circumstances: you would rather try to save the situation and wait for the next round, but I think I prefer grass to rubber deposits.
What is the best sensation when driving a Formula One car? The corners or the acceleration?
« The corners and the braking. The most powerful road Ferrari can give you sensations similar to a Formula One in terms of acceleration, but no car comes close, not even a little, to a Formula One in braking and cornering. »
At 300 km/h, the senses are reduced by 80%. Are you working on this?
No. I didn’t even know anything about senses! I’ve been behind the wheel for 27 years, maybe my senses have gotten used to driving at 300km/h. (Laughs).
When you brake, do you stop accelerating completely or do you continue to press slightly on the accelerator while downshifting?
« We completely stop accelerating. In the past, in other categories, that had to be done. In any case, you can adjust the engine brake with the thousand buttons on the steering wheel to give more or less braking effect, depending on the corner. »
When traveling between each Grand Prix, do you fly on a commercial flight or on a plane chartered by Ferrari?
« We use conventional airlines. For some European races, the team charters a plane with Toro Rosso, which also departs from Italy. If I’m in Italy, before or after the race, I join them. »
What do you do once the race is over? Where do you go?
« When the race is over, you have to go to the weigh-in and speak to the TV stations. Then you change, take a shower and talk to the print press. After that, you grab a bite to eat and attend the post-race briefing with all the engineers, which usually takes an hour and involves reviewing all the information from the Grand Prix. Then, it’s off to the airport: sometimes you head straight home, sometimes you attend a promotional event, and sometimes you go to Italy to work in the simulator… »
What is the difference between training with Fabrizio Borra and Edoardo Bendinelli?
« I have been working with Fabrizio for many years. He is in charge of the technical settings and also assesses my physical condition and medical aspects. With Edoardo, it’s more about physical preparation, we work to improve my condition. With training and osteopathic techniques, we can maintain 100% of our physical potential. With the preparation I do with both, I am ready to meet the demands, not only of piloting but also of any other sport. So, I can easily say that I am in good hands. »
Do you consider yourself a cautious driver and do you think you have lost some of your aggressiveness over the years?
« I don’t think I’m a cautious driver. I think I’m a competitive driver and a fighter until the last lap of the Grand Prix. With more or less success, good or less good results, but I’ve always had a fighting spirit. I don’t think I’ve lost aggression over the years; I’ve made the biggest comebacks of my life in the past two years. »
Do you still share the money you earn after a victory with your mechanics?
« Yes, I think it’s fair to share with those who helped you get on the podium or win the race. It would be unfair of me to take all the credit. »
There are women who race motorcycles and we have already seen female test drivers in F1. What would you think about racing with women?
« It would be fantastic to share the grid with female drivers. I think that is one of the foundations of any sport, a reason for gathering with everyone participating in a sport on equal terms. »
All athletes get injured one day. Have you ever competed injured? With what injuries?
« Yes, sometimes. Sometimes you have muscle injuries, like a micro tear caused by training, tendinitis, a cervical sprain due to fatigue, but like in any sport. I think the time I suffered the most was at the start of last season when I was suffering from sciatic nerve pain which hurt a lot in the leg towards the end of the races. I also did a few races with a fever: at the end, I felt exhausted. »
How do you prevent a bad moment in your private life from affecting your performance in a Grand Prix?
« When you get into one of these cars, believe me, you don’t think about anything else. »
As of today, do you think Massa is a Ferrari driver?
« He is one of the best drivers in the world, and he has proven it throughout his career. It’s just as easy to give praise when you have a good car as it is to criticize when it’s bad. I experienced a similar situation during my last stint with Renault, when some of my teammates [editor’s note: Grosjean] were criticized, and today, they are once again being praised. »
Do you think McLaren could have made changes to your car without telling you during any Grand Prix in 2007?
« I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter today. I have been lucky enough to drive for McLaren and to give 100% to help what was my team at the time. »
Do you think Ferrari would be better if Flavio Briatore were in place of Stefano Domenicali [current director of the Maranello team]?
« Stefano’s work is fantastic in all areas and I don’t see anyone better than him [for this position]. As I explained before, it only takes a few races to go from criticism to praise. I am very good friends with Flavio and we talk frequently. He is one of the most intelligent people I have met. »
What was the most challenging Grand Prix for you, psychologically? Why? Have you ever doubted your ability behind the wheel?
« The 2009 European Grand Prix, a few days after my grandmother’s death. [And] no, I never doubted my chances. »
