Onboard Alonso’s Renault at the 2006 British Grand Prix

Let Nando himself talk you through his stunning pole lap of 2006.The Spaniard not only qualified his Renault on pole, he also won the grand prix, and set the fastest lap of the race. And all that at 24 years of age.

Grid Crasher previews this weekend’s race at Silverstone

1. It will rain on Sunday afternoon That’s what the expert weather folks say, and who are we to doubt them. A wet GP is an unpredictable GP - but that’s not going to stop us from making another nine rash predictions…

Honda’s chief geek reveals what Alonso really wants

Amid speculation that cash-rich Honda could be Nando Alonso’s next destination, Ross Brawn, the team’s principal, admits that “every team” would be interested in signing the former double world champion for 2009 - hmm, not sure Ron Dennis would agree, but we take Brawn’s point.

“Honda is no different, of course,” Brawn told the Swiss publication Motorsport Aktuell.

“Fernando is a very good driver that everyone would like to have sitting in their car,” said the man who was formerly Ferrari’s technical director.

“(But) I know what team he would like to go to, everyone does [i.e. Ferrari]. The reality is that, before we can talk seriously with him, the situation with Ferrari must be resolved.”

Renault driver sees his country end 44 years of hurt

Ah, the perks of being an F1 superstar. We imagine that all Alonso had to do was click his fingers and a VIP ticket for the Euro 2008 final in Vienna magically appeared on his doormat.

Nando (and his mate) opted to wear Euro 2008’s hottest fashion accessory, a crisp white shirt - as sported by German head coach Jogi Loew and Turkey boss Fatih Terim - paired with a cute Spain button badge, just in case you weren’t sure who he was supporting.

After the game, football nut Alonso revealed that he had predicted that Spain would win the final 1-0. They did.

Good prediction skills, but that doesn’t stop you being a dirty diver…

The Spanish Sulk wins, for first time this season… but not in F1

This video shows Fernando Alonso (unless it’s a very, very convincing double) taking on all-comers in a go-kart race in Madrid, earlier this month. He starts from the back of the field and passes everyone to take what must have been a very satisfying victory - this kid will go far, mark our words.

Tell us something we don’t know

German newspaper FAZ reports that Alonso is losing patience with Renault. No news there, but we were interested to read that the feeling may be mutual.

One Renault engineer is quoted as saying: “Fernando thinks only about Fernando. (In Canada) he wasn’t even at the after-race briefing.”

Alonso may be a former world champion, but that means little if he’s perceived as a selfish, trouble-making brat. There are many fast, hungry young drivers out there who would be less hassle to deal with. If the Spaniard is not careful, he’ll end up with nowhere left to go in F1. Nando to IndyCar, anyone?

Grid Crasher decodes pre-race quotes from the key drivers

Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
“I think that things will look really different at Magny-Cours, compared to the last GPs. The smooth surface of the French track, its demanding corners and the quick changes of direction will underline the characteristics of the F2008.It was here in France last year that my season practically started all over again; and this is what I need now, after the two races with no points. I like this track and I think that it’s perfect for our car. I think we’ll be competitive and that we can go for the maximum result.”
What he really means: “Not even Lewis is going to stop me winning this time.”

Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
“I hope we will be very competitive this weekend. I like Magny-Cours: I came second here last year, having started from pole, but then I lost a bit of time in traffic and I also came third in 2006. It’s a good track for me. Let’s hope we can repeat last year’s one-two finish, but maybe in a different order!”
What he really means: “I hope Ferrari lets me compete with Kimi on even ground.”

McLaren star says he’s feeling the heat

Lil’ Lewis has publicly admitted that he’s having a difficult second season.

“There’s so much pressure, and I can’t begin to explain how much pressure I have on my shoulders,” he said in a BBC interview.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself. Too much. And that led to mistakes, being too on the limit. I wasn’t really enjoying it (at the start of the season), to be honest.”

And having been flavour of the 2007 season, this season he seems to be winning few friends in the paddock. This week, Fernando Alonso, Bernie Ecclestone and Robert Kubica have all had a little pop at Lewis…

Get to know Magny Cours before this Sunday’s French GP

Watch Kimi take on Magny Cours in the 2006 McLaren (one of the most beautiful F1 cars in recent years).

It’s a tricky, fast circuit, notable for the very quick first corner, taken at 170mph, the tricky Estoril right-hander, which comes soon after, and the unsighted Imola chicane.

BONUS VIDEO! Watch Martin Brundle describe a Fernando Alonso pole lap below…

The Spaniard’s talent deserves a faster car for 2009

Put yourself in Fernando Alonso’s shoes. You’re 26 years old, and in your prime. You’ve already won two world championships; in the process you became the youngest driver ever to become a double champion.

In Alonso’s own mind, now is the time when he should be building his legend, by winning more titles. He is clearly one of the best three F1 drivers out there, arguably better than current champ Kimi Raikkonen or pesky Lewis Hamilton.

But… he’s stuck in a midfield car, the sort of car that only rookies and veterans should be driving. He desperately needs and wants to be in a top car, a Ferrari or McLaren or BMW. Nothing else will do. He deserves to be in such a car, not the Frankenstein’s monster that is the R28. And we, the F1 fans, deserve to see him in a good car.