Already at the end of 2005, Alonso slammed the door on Renault by leaving for McLaren

(AUTOhebdo n°1527 of January 4, 2006)

“The world title didn’t change anything for me. My philosophy remains the same: beat the other drivers. I want to be the best in 2006, 2007, 2008 and beyond. The best in everything I do, even playing tennis tomorrow! I will have the same determination that I have for everything in my life… Many people have asked me about the gift I gave myself to celebrate my world title. Nothing ! I come from a modest family and I don't envy the life of rich people. So I would never buy something expensive, I wouldn't know how to use it! ».

In a few sentences, while Carlos Ghosn, president of Renault, gave him the R25 with which he had just achieved glory, Alonso drove a nail known to all. Not interested in money, son of a modest family, educated in respect of traditions, feet firmly on the ground thanks to the support of his close family... " The big head ? Me ? Never ". It's true that sometimes you just have to rehash things to be convinced of them as truth. While his professional entourage never missed an opportunity to assure us that we were facing a “teenager who had to be preserved, protected from everything”. For him nothing was too good. Capricious? You are dreaming! Locked in his bubble, concentrated. Professionally impeccable, apart from a few mood swings, which we put down to great timidity