19 years ago, Alonso resisted Schumacher threat at Imola

It is perhaps one of the most beautiful memories that these two great men left us of their battle over the two seasons where Renault held the sugar high for the untouchable Team Ferrari. In Imola, Fernando Alonso arrived as the new darling of the paddock. The one whose only goal was to put an end to the hegemony of Michael Schumacher and Prancing Horse champions on all fronts since 2000.

The Bull of Asturias then presented itself as the leader of the championship thanks to its 3^e opening place in Australia and his two victories in Malaysia and Bahrain. The Red Baron was somewhat in difficulty with two retirements (accident in Australia and hydraulic problem in Bahrain) and a discreet 7^e room for only 2 small points. The San Marino Grand Prix then represented the ideal place to get back on track.

Despite a 14^e qualifying place against a 2^e for his opponent, Michael Schumacher had no trouble moving up through the peloton. The abandonment of Kimi Räikkönen due to a transmission problem on his McLaren propelled the young Fernando Alonso to the top of the standings. At a frantic pace behind the wheel of the F2005, the German chained fast laps and gradually glimpsed the podium. But ultimately it was for victory that he would fight.

Anthology duel between Alonso and Schumacher

With the second stop of the Asturian at 42^e of the 62 laps of the race, the German moves to 2^e place behind the BAR Honda of Jenson Button. Passed into the lead at 47^e passage, “Schumi” made his last pass through the pit lane with 13 laps to go, giving the reins of the race back to his rival.

When it returns to the track, only 1" separates the R3 and the F25. Pumped up for the sprint, Michael Schumacher pounces on Fernando Alonso who must repel three attacks from his opponent at 2005^e round. In “Nando’s” rearview mirrors, the reigning world champion’s Ferrari couldn’t get any bigger. The latter makes a series of attempts, puts pressure on but ultimately the Renault driver never breaks down to sign a 3^e consecutive victory before heading towards his first world crown.

« I have certainly just fought one of the most beautiful battles of my career, enjoyed Fernando Alonso at the time of the events. I was well aware that Michael was a good second faster and the only way to contain him was to keep it in the middle of the track and be a little faster on the gas pedal. It worked ! "" I'm delighted with how the race went, whispered the German for his part. But I can't help but be disappointed after what happened this morning (Sunday in qualifying, at the time it was the accumulation of two times between Saturday and Sunday). Without this mistake we would have had a perfect day! »

BELIEVE

A 23-year-old @alo_oficial holds off seven-time champ Michael Schumacher in San Marino #OnThisDay in 2005 😮#MondayMotivation 💪 pic.twitter.com/qjExyVaxdD

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 24, 2017

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