5 interesting Fernando Alonso facts that only true fans would know

Motorsport fans and enthusiasts know Fernando Alonso as a two-time world champion and one of two Spanish drivers with Formula 1 Grand Prix victories. He raced for teams such as McLaren, Ferrari, Renault, Minardi, and Aston Martin.

However, there are some interesting facts about Fernando Alonso that only true fans would know. Below are five such facts about the Spaniard:

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#5 Fernando Alonso is one of five F1 Champions to win Le Mans

Back in 2018, Fernando Alonso tried his luck in the World Endurance Racing with Toyota when he entered the 24 Hours of Le Mans. And it worked like magic.

Alonso, on his first try, won the 24 Hours of Le Mans and became one of only five F1 champions to have done the same. He achieved the feat alongside Graham Hill, Phil Hill, Jochen Rindt, and Mike Hawthorn.

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#4 Fernando Alonso is a massive Real Madrid supporter

The Spanish driver is a huge fan of the Spanish and European soccer champions, Real Madrid. Hailing from Oviedo, Spain, the two-time F1 champion has been a Los Blancos faithful for years and tries to watch games in person whenever he is away from F1 duty.

Alonso is also a member of the renowned club. Club president Florentino Perez held a special presentation for Alonso at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium to celebrate the moment, similar to a grand new signing.

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#3 Fernando Alonso has a museum

Situated in Asturias, Spain, the Museo y Circuito Fernando Alonso is a museum built in honor of Fernando Alonso. Opened in 2015, the museum houses over 300 items and counting from Alonso's racing career.

From replicas of his F1 cars to used helmets, overalls, boots, and trophies, the museum boasts an impressive collection. Interestingly, it also contains a kart circuit that the Spanish ace designed himself. In 2021, Alonso invested over $2.8 million to expand the museum.

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#2 Only two drivers beat Fernando Alonso in intra-team rivalries

In all his 22 seasons of racing in Formula 1, Fernando Alonso was beaten in intra-team rivalries only twice. Jenson Button in 2015 and Esteban Ocon in 2022 beat the two-time world champion in the Drivers' Championship.

Multiple DNFs due to technical issues jeopardized Alonso's races in those two years, which allowed his teammate to overcome his points tally. This highlights the immense race craft and talent Alonso possesses.

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#1 Fernando Alonso almost won 3 more World Championships

Fernando Alonso won two F1 world championships in 2005 and 2006. However, he lost three titles by a very narrow margin. In 2007, Alonso and Lewis Hamilton scored an identical 109 points, whereas Kimi Raikkonen scored one more to snatch the title away from him.

In 2010, Alonso scored 252 points driving for Ferrari. However, Sebastian Vettel, with 256 points, claimed the world championship that year. The Spanish driver locked horns with Vettel once again in 2012, and the outcome was the same. He scored 278 points that year, but Vettel clinched the title by scoring 281 points.