For me, it was not destiny to make it to where I am now - I thought for a long- time I would become a go-kart mechanic, or a job like this, not an F1 driver.

002 seconds to Vettel with Massa qualifying third. Renault also clinched the Constructors' Championship with a 5-point gap over Ferrari. Alonso controversially dedicated his podium afterwards to recently departed team boss Flavio Briatore saying "he is part of the success we had today".

Nicknamed El Nano a typical pseudonym for Fernando in Asturias his place of birth Alonso acts as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. before both records were broken by Sebastian Vettel in the 2008 Italian Grand Prix. He made his Formula One debut in the 2001 season with Minardi and then moved to the Renault as a test driver the next year.