Fernando Alonso to Drive for McLaren at This Year’s Indy 500

Posted on March 1, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Fernando Alonsois back in the race…

The 38-year-old Spanish race car driver will race at this year’s Indy 500 with McLaren‘s new IndyCar team.

It’ll be Alonso’s third attempt to win the famous race, the final part of a ‘Triple Crown,’ which includes the Monaco Grand Prixand Le Mans 24 Hours. He has won both the other events on two occasions.

Were Alonso, who won the Formula One World Championshipin 2005 and 2006 for the Renaultteam, to achieve the feat, he would become just the second driver to do so, following Graham Hill‘s success in the 1960s.

Alonso drove for McLaren’s Formula Oneteam on two occasions, in 2007 and an infamously uncompetitive stint between 2015 and 2018. He stepped away from F1at the end of the latter spell and is yet to return.

“I am a racer and the Indy 500 is the greatest race in the world,” Alonso said.

“I have maximum respect for the race and everyone who competes in it, and all I want is to race against them and give my best.”

Alonso attempted to win the Indy 500 with a poorly-managed McLaren entry last year. A catalogue of errors culminated in the two-time F1 champion failing to qualify for the event.

He fared better on his debut in the race in 2017, qualifying fifth and leading a chunk of the race until an engine issue ended his race prematurely.

McLaren has stepped up its involvement in the series, entering a full-time outfit called SP Arrow McLaren for 2020. Alonso will partner the team’s full-time drivers, Pato O’Ward and Oliver Askew, for the event.

Alonso will race the team’s Chevrolet-powered car, having been blocked in his attempts to race for aHondaoutfit.

Alonso was scathingly critical of the Japanese manufacturer during his final stint at McLaren and it has since decided he will never race one of their cars — he since won the Le Mans 24 Hours and World Endurance Championshipwith Toyota, a Honda rival.

Fernando Alonso Open to Returning to Formula One in 2021

Posted on December 1, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Fernando Alonsoisn’t ruling out a comeback…

The 38-year-old Spanish racing driver, regarded as one of the greatest Formula One drivers in the history of the sport, says he’d be open to a return to F1 in 2021 if the right opportunity came along.

The two-time World Champion, who contested 17 seasons of Formula One, left F1 at the end of 2018 after four frustrating years at McLarenwithout a victory or podium appearance.

Alonso has turned his attention to other pursuits outside of F1 since, winning the Le Mans 24 Hourswith Toyotain 2018.

Alonso is set to take part in the Dakar Rallyin January 2020 and will then set his sights on winning the Indy 500on his third attempt — he led for a spell on his debut at the Brickyard in 2017, but ultimately failed to finish following a Hondaengine issue. On his return last year a catalogue of McLaren errors in the build-up meant he failed to qualify for the race itself.

In an interview with Sky Sportsahead of this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Alonso said he’s still happy to consider a return to the F1 grid.

“I’m doing Dakar in January which is a big challenge and next year hopefully Indy is in the plan again,” he said. “I’ll try and do a little bit better than this year!

“We will keep it open in the future, maybe Formula One in 2021, maybe hyper car in the WEC [World Endurance Championship.]

“I think in 2021 that is the reason why I keep open the possibilities. Maybe things mix up with the new rules so let’s see if an opportunity comes.”

Alonso & Montoya to Face Off Once Again at This Year’s Indy 500

Posted on April 25, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a race back in time for Fernando Alonso and Juan Pablo Montoya…

The 35-year-old Spanish Formula One racer and the 41-year-old Colombian IndyCar Series driver will roll back the years and battle together once again at the Indy 500 on May 28.

Alonso is missing the Monaco Grand Prix to drive at the Brickyard, which will see him race against a number of familiar faces — including Montoya, who also made his Formula One debut at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix.

Despite spells with Williams and McLaren, Montoya never replicated Alonso’s title-winning success in F1 and had to make do with seven grand prix victories.

Montoya came into F1 having won the Indy 500 and CART championship in 2000 and has won the prestigious oval race more recently, in 2015. Alonso holds the Colombian in high regard from their days together in F1.

“I take Juan Pablo as one of the best drivers in the world, one of the most talented drivers I ever competed against,” Alonso said. “So to come here and drive together in the super speedway will be a massive thing for me.

“Hopefully I can learn as much as I can… I’m watching a lot of his onboard cameras because I think he’s one of the best out there. So really looking forward to talk to him and have some dinners with him at Indy because any tips would be welcome for him.”

Montoya says the chance to race Alonso, the 2005 and 2006 world champion, again was something he would not have expected at this stage of the Spaniard’s career.

“If you would have told me I was going to win a race ever against Alonso, it would be an endurance race or something, not in Indy to be honest,” Montoya said. “I think it’s great. I think having Fernando is going to be a really good day for motorsports, not only for IndyCar, but I think the attention overall for seeing Fernando and myself and everybody running Indy is going to be really big.”

Montoya says Alonso will have a steep learning curve if he wants to get to grips with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in time for the race.

“The biggest challenge is going to be first he has never done a race that is that long, and the traffic. He is going to have to learn and understand the traffic. I think if he is patient enough through the week and builds to it, I think he will be fine.

“He is a really good driver. He has really good teammates. People have run at Indy before and run well. There is no reason why he shouldn’t run well.”

Messi: The Top-Ranking Latino on Forbes’ Celebrity 100 List

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Lionel Messi is a Latino at the top of the global earnings game…

The 28-year-old Argentine soccer star has earned the No. 13 spot on Forbes’ Celebrity 100, the list of the world’s highest-paid superstars of 2015.

Messi, the highest-ranking Latino on the list of the highest paid entertainers on the planet had earnings of $74 million during the reporting period.

In 2014, Spanish club Barcelona awarded Messi, a four-time FIFA player of the year, with a $9 million a year raise in his seventh contract since 2005, bringing his take home pay to $50 million a year through 2018. Messi holds records for most goals in Barca competitions, most goals in La Liga competitions, most goals scored in a calendar year and most hat tricks scored. That incredible talent is why sponsor Samsung cast him as superhero Iron Man in their ad to promote the Avengers film. It’s also why his main sponsor Adidas launched a Messi icon line of shoes and apparel, which has exceeded company sales expectations, including in the U.S.

He recently ranked as the top-ranking Latino on Forbes’ 2015 list of the World’s Highest-Paid Athletes, coming in at No. 4.

Meanwhile, Gisele Bündchen has earned the distinction of highest-ranking Latina on this year’s list.

The 34-year-old Brazilian supermodel, who has been the highest-paid model in the world since 2004, comes in at No. 46 with earnings of $44 million.

Bündchen, the world’s highest-paid model in 2014, continues to out-earn her younger counterparts. Despite rumors that she was retiring from the runway, Bündchen’s earnings have not suffered. She continues to land lucrative fragrance and beauty contracts with Carolina Herrera and Chanel, supplementing those deals with high fashion campaigns for Emilio Pucci and Balenciaga. Her Under Armour advertisement, which showed her attacking a punching bag while social media commentary blared in the background, was one of the most impactful this year. Bündchen has turned her name into a brand: she gets a cut of sales from the jelly sandals she designs for Brazilian shoemaker Grendene, while her line of Hope lingerie – Gisele Bündchen Intimates – also pumps up her paycheck.

Coming in at No. 52 is Bruno Mars, with earnings of $40 million.

The 29-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer-songwriter’s recent collaboration with Mark Ronson, “Uptown Funk,” spent 14 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard charts. It was only one of many reasons Mars solidified his place on the Celebrity 100. After being the featured musician in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Class of 2014, Mars continued to make a name for himself by completing his Moonshine Jungle tour. He’s currently working on his next album, and if it is anything like his previous studio effort, Mars can expect the awards and dollars to keep rolling in.

In all, 10 Latino/a celebrities made this year’s list, including tennis star Rafael Nadal, soccer phenom Neymar and multi-hyphenate extraordinaire Jennifer Lopez.

Here’s the complete list of Latino superstars on Forbes’ Celebrity 100 list:

No. 13 Lionel Messi, $74 million
No. 46 Gisele Bündchen, $44 million
No. 52 Bruno Mars, $40 million
No. 63 Fernando Alonso, $35.5 million
No. 76 Rafael Nadal, $32.5 million
No. 82 Neymar, $31 million
No. 86 Carmelo Anthony, $30.5 million
No. 89 James Rodriguez, $29 million
No. 95 Jennifer Lopez, $28.5 million
No. 95 Sofia Vergara, $28.5 million

Alonso Cleared to Return to the Formula One Racing Scene

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a welcome green light for Fernando Alonso…

The 33-year-old Spanish Formula One racing driver has been cleared to race at the Malaysian Grand Prix after missing the Formula One season opener following a crash in testing.

The McLaren driver, a two-time world champion, has followed a “rigorous, specialized training program” since last month’s accident and he has been ruled fit after a final medical assessment by the FIA governing body.

Reserve driver Kevin Magnussen was 17th after taking Alonso’s place in the March 15 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. The Malaysian GP at the Sepang International Circuit is on Sunday.

Alonso Moving Forward with Plans to Start Cycling Team

Posted on December 21, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Fernando Alonso is moving full (10) speed ahead with plans to create a cycling team…

The 32-year-old Spanish Formula One driver says his plan to start a cycling team is “going well” after meeting with International Cycling Union president Brian Cookson.

Alonso announced in September that he’d look into create his own team to race in 2015 after plans fell through to buy now-defunct Euskaltel-Euskadi.

Alonso tells Europa Press “there is still a year to go, but things are going well. I am pleased with the steps that have been taken.”

The Ferrari driver spoke with Cookson, who was in the Spanish capital to award Joaquim Rodriguez the trophy for the World Tour’s best cyclist of 2013.

Alonso Wins Spanish Grand Prix

Posted on May 12, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Fernando Alonso has earned his 32nd Formula One victory on his home turf…

Following an incredible start, the 31-year-old Spanish Formula One race driver secured a victory in the Spanish Grand Prix, allowing him to climb 13 points closer to the leader in the rankings, Germany’s Sebastian Vettel, who finished fourth.

It’s Alonso’s second triumph of the season after taking the Chinese Grand Prix title earlier this year, as well as his and this is his 89th time on the podium in his career.

Vettel leads with 89 points after five races and Alonso is now just 17 points behind him and in third place.

“I’m very happy with the win because it’s been a very good race. We came out really well, which we had predicted, moving up on rivals and everything came out OK on the second and third curve,” said Alonso.

The Ferrari team had an extraordinary race, with Alonso’s Brazilian teammate Felipe Massa finishing third, just behind Finland’s Kimi Raikkonen, driving for Lotus and finishing second in his third consecutive race.

“We knew that we’d have good rhythm with four pit stops, and we knew that others would do three. Coming back to win at home has been incredible,” the Spanish driver said.

This is Alonso’s 32nd career victory, after starting out in the sport in 2001 and securing his first win in the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2003.

Alonso repeated his victory in the Barcelona race, where he’d won once before in 2006, while driving for Renault.

“I know that, for many, it’s an effort with the way things are. I thank you and hope there will be much additional joy this year that that you enjoy it, both on the circuit and on the TV,” Alonso said.

Alonso Prevails at the Chinese Grand Prix

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Fernando Alonso has raced his way to another Formula One victory…

The 31-year-old Spanish Formula One racing driver, who currently races for Ferrari, proved to be the gran campeón at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on Sunday, winning the third race of the year on the F1 circuit.

“The whole weekend has been unbelievable. The race was fantastic from start to finish,” said Alonso.

The two-time Formula One champion beat Lotus’ Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen and Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton, who had to settle for second and third place, respectively.

“We didn’t have any problems, the tires wore out less than expected and after the withdrawal in Malaysia we took a second (place in Australia) and a first, so we have started well. I’m optimistic,” said Alonso.

Alonso, who won his last race at the 2012 German Grand Prix, covered 56 laps totaling 189 miles in 1:36:26.945.

The fourth Grand Prix race of the season will take place next weekend in Bahrain.

In all, El Nano, as he’s nicknamed, has a total of 31 career race wins.

Alonso Named Honorary Ambassador for “Brand Spain”

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Fernando Alonso is representing his native land in a big way…

The 31-year-old Spanish Formula One race car driver and a two-time World Champion has been named an honorary ambassador for “Brand Spain” by the Leading Brands of Spain Forum.

The award is aimed at publicly recognizing people, businesses and institutions that have contributed greatly during their professional careers to strengthening the international image of the Iberian nation.

Alonso was selected in the Sports category for being one of the Spanish athletes enjoying “great success and international projection, admired and respected throughout the world.”

But Alonso isn’t the only Spanish luminary named an honorary ambassador…

Antonio Banderas was honored in the Culture and Communication category for being one of the country’s “best-known and admired” artists internationally, having built up an impressive resume of film projects in Hollywood.

Also selected for their work in strengthening Spain’s image abroad were businessman Isak Andic, the founder and main stockholder of the Mango fashion retailer group, economist Pedro Nueno, chef Jose Andres, cancer researcher Dr. Maria Blasco and the National Transplant Organization.

The judging panel headed by Antonio Abril, the general secretary of the Inditex textile group, included Carlos Espinosa de los Monteros, the Government High Commissioner for Brand Spain.

This is the first time that this recognition has been bestowed since the creation of the post of high commissioner. The high commissioner backed the initiative to develop the Leading Brands of Spain Forum, which includes more than 100 companies and several government ministers.

Other personalities who have been selected in the past to be honorary ambassadors include Rafael Nadal, Placido Domingo, Javier Solana and Pau Gasol.

Maldonado Makes History By Clinching the Spanish Grand Prix

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

It’s one for the history books for Pastor Maldonado…

The 27-year-old Formula One driver produced the race of his life to hold off Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso in Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix to became the first Venezuelan driver to win a Formula One race.

It was a flawless drive for Maldonado, who started from the pole and survived the challenge by Alonso to take the 66-lap race at the Catalunya Circuit by 3.1 seconds.

“It’s a wonderful day for me and the team. An unforgettable race,” said Maldonado, who was hoisted onto the shoulders of Alonso and Raikkonen before being doused in champagne. “It was a tough race, with the strategy and a couple of laps we were struggling. But the car was so competitive from the first lap.”

Maldonado’s victory, in just his 24th race, handed Williams its 114th triumph but first since the 2004 Brazilian Grand Prix. The Venezuelan driver also became 2012’s fifth winner in five races.

But in a dramatic turn of events for Maldonado… The Venezuelan race car driver ended he day a hero when he carried his young cousin to safety after flames engulfed the team garage.

In all, 16 people were injured, one with severe burns, by the fire – believed to have been caused by an electrical fault in a fuel rig.

Maldonado had to carry his 12-year-old cousin Manuel, wearing a protective boot on a broken right foot, to safety as thick, black smoke billowed down the pit lane at the Catalunya circuit.

The Williams team said four of its members were injured.

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