Alonso Wins Spanish Grand Prix

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.

Fernando Alonso

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.

Fernando Alonso

“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

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.

Fernando Alonso

“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.

Fernando 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”

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.

Fernando Alonso

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.

Piquet: The First Brazilian to Win a NASCAR National Touring Series Race

He may be fairly new to NASCAR, but Nelson Piquet Jr. is already making racing history…

The 26-year-old stock car racing driver—the son of three-time Formula One champion Nelson Piquet Sr., one of Brazil’s most successful F1 drivers—held the lead on a late restart, then pulled away from the rest of the field on Saturday to win the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Road America. In the process, Piquet became the first Brazilian to win a race in NASCAR’s national touring series.

Nelson Piquet Jr.

Piquet, a former Formula One driver, became a winner in only his third career Nationwide start after starting the race from pole position. Piquet’s extensive road racing experience seemed to pay off at the 4-mile, 14-turn road course that winds through the hills of central Wisconsin.

He’s now out to prove he belongs in NASCAR.

“I’m going to be here for a long time, hopefully,” said Piquet, who’s hoping Saturday’s win will catch the eye of a team owner willing to give his stock car racing career a boost.

“I think the best thing that could come out of this was to show team owners and bosses that I’m capable of doing it, if I just get the right car and the right team,” Piquet said.

Nelson Piquet Jr.

Michael McDowell, who finished second, just couldn’t chase down Piquet at the end.

“His car was fast,” said McDowell. “I don’t know if we would have had anything for him if we could have just stayed with him on that restart.”

Following the race, Piquet got a phone call from his famous father.

“He was laughing,” Piquet said. “I don’t know if he had a beer or not. But he was very, very excited.”