Two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso was named an honorary member of Real Madrid, his favorite soccer club.
Following the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso was named an official honorary member of the Real Madrid soccer club, the Spain-based club that Alonso calls his favorite.
The 36-year-old Spaniard is in the midst of a season full of struggles in Formula One. He has raced in 11 of the 13 races on the schedule so far this season, as he did not start at Russia and he skipped the Monaco Grand Prix to race in the Indianapolis 500, where he fittingly failed to finish due to engine issues.
Of the 11 Formula One races the McLaren-Honda driver has competed in this season, he has only finished three of them, with finishes of 12th, 9th and 6th place at Spain, Azerbaijan and Hungary, respectively. His eight non-finishes included five official retirements.
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He has failed to finish so many races mostly due to the lack of speed and reliability from his Honda engine, which has led to speculation that he may not be back with McLaren next season. In fact, he may not be back in Formula One at all, as IndyCar could present him with some interesting options in the near future.
After the Italian Grand Prix during which the 32-time Formula One race winner unsurprisingly failed to finish, he was delighted and honored to be inducted into Real Madrid’s member roll of honour.
"“It is a tremendously special day to be here in this stadium that I love from a distance with all the trips I have. I’ve been asked a lot why I support Real Madrid…I’ve never had a clear answer. I am a Real Madrid fan because I am a Real Madrid fan. Neither do I know why my eyes are brown. Real Madrid chose me to be, like millions of people, a fan of this great club.”"
Alonso also took to Instagram to show his gratitude resulting from this occasion.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez praised Alonso for what he has been able to do over the course of his racing career, both on and off the track.
"“This event today is meant as a show of appreciation from Real Madrid to one of our fans and members. It is recognition from our club of one of the greatest Spanish sportsmen of all time. He is a pioneer who achieved something that no Spaniard had achieved before: he was a Formula One world champion.”“Fernando, you are an extraordinary ambassador of our club for all of madridismo. Because of this, the General Assembly of Members unanimously agreed to grant you our maximum recognition of honorary member of Real Madrid. Two-time world champion of Formula One and three times runner-up.” “You debuted at just 19 years of age and since then you have been adding to your collection of trophies with 32 Grand Prix victories and an impressive record. Your character transcends beyond the circuits. You carry the Spain brand across all continents and also the passion for your beloved Real Madrid. We know what this shirt and this badge means to you.”"
Next: Fernando Alonso to IndyCar full-time in 2018?
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