Q: Fernando, in Hungary after qualifying you were laughing for what seemed like the first time in a long time while being interviewed in the FIA pen. Was it the knowledge that things are looking up? Fernando Alonso: You think I was laughing for the first time? We’ve been in Q3 a couple of times - true not with both cars. But I remember it was a funny question that I was asked - and that’s why I was laughing. Yes, we’ve had some good and bad moments this year - everybody knows that. But really laughing has something to do with humour - and not with any lap time! Q: Coming to humour: You once said that you have to be an actor to survive in F1. Where would you say your bigger talents lie, in drama or comedy? FA: In comedy of course - all the time! (Laughs) Everything in Formula One is a comedy: it is a sport, nothing really serious, so definitely not a drama. It is a bit like those slapstick comedies where you get hit on the head - and the next day you are as good as new. I would definitely be a comedy actor… Q: ...any character that you would want to play? FA: Jim Carrey - any of his roles! I think he would do well in F1, making a mockery of everything! (Laughs) Q: This is your sixteenth season. If you look back over the years, how has Fernando Alonso changed? From a naïve young driver to a hard-nosed professional? FA: You change in any ways - not just as a driver. A person at 19 years of age is completely different than a man of 35. That goes for any kind of relationship: family, friends, and the approach to the team, the working methods and of course the media. Everything changes - not because you want to have it changed in one direction, but because life changes you! You cannot escape that - the Peter Pan story of not growing old is only a fairy tale!

Success is the most important thing of the enjoyment of being here - you are here to compete against 21 other drivers and try to be the best in the world Fernando Alonso

Q: Sixteen years in Formula One - there must have been many happy moments, otherwise you wouldn’t still be here… FA: Probably success is the most important thing of the enjoyment of being here. You are here to compete - you are here to compete against 21 other drivers and try to be the best in the world. So being on the podium, winning a race or even a championship: these are the moments of ultimate enjoyment. But then there is also the joy about other things that surround F1. The travelling that gave me the opportunity to travel to many countries I probably would have never seen in another life: India, Korea, Russia or Azerbaijan. I am happy with all the fantastic side effects the sport has given me. Q: After travelling for sixteen years is there still a place that Fernando Alonso would want to go? FA: There are always places that attract your attention. Argentina for example - one day I want to go and visit Argentina. South Africa is another destination - probably all the places that we don’t have any more in Formula One. And then why not go to Terra de Fuego - to the furthest south - or to Alaska, way up north? I am that kind of person! (Laughs) I am still young - even if not any more - but at least I do feel that way, so I want to see all these places. You have to take chances whenever they come your way as you never know when they dry up! Q: Speaking about travelling and modes of travel, you’re obviously a fanatical train rider - especially in Japan. Is it because it fits your personality? A strict timetable for a strict personality? FA: Ha, probably yes! I enjoy that kind of precision, that sense of being perfectly on time - yes, that suits my way of living. The trains in Japan are probably a synonym for everything that I find exemplary! (Laughs) Q: If you are really that precise person you say you are, isn’t it sometimes hard to live with yourself? FA: Yes! But for the people around me it is even harder! I’ve known myself for many years so I can deal with it - but the others… oh boy! (Laughs) Q: Before a race start you used to sing with Luis - who is now your manager. Are you still doing that? FA: No, we don’t do it anymore. We’ve lost that ‘moment of inspiration’!

I have been so lucky in my entire career to fight for championships - my career path could have ended in karting Fernando Alonso

Q: What are you doing now to get in the mood for racing? FA: These days nothing special. No special routine. I spend time with my team - the engineers to go over the latest changes in rules! (Laughs) Now they seem to be a bit more stable - but before it was a constant ‘rehearsing’ that what you know is the latest state of affairs! Q: What people remember is title winners. You’ve won two but you’ve also come in second more than once - and by only a few points. Does that hurt? FA: Not really. I have been so lucky in my entire career to fight for championships - yes, there have been more good opportunities for me but for one reason or the other it did not happen. Q: You probably could have matched Juan Manuel Fangio by now… FA: Yes probably - but my career path also could have ended in karting! So everything is perfect for me. Q: When you started in F1 it was a much more dangerous sport. Are you happy with the way it has gone? You had the most spectacular crash in a long time in Australia and escaped with minor injuries. Based on that, what more can be done in your view? FA: Probably the halo system is the next step in security. The head of a driver is still the sore point as all of the latest fatal accidents that we’ve seen were head injuries. The FIA understood, the sport understood - so we are working on it. Q: What does Fernando Alonso still want to achieve in this sport. What’s still on your tick-off list? FA: Another championship is the ultimate target - and we are working hard on that project. And with the new regulations in place next year we will probably get the excitement back as the cars will be much more attractive - and much faster. That is still the target that Fernando wants to achieve! (Laughs) Q: Seen on paper will the 2017 changes be good enough to keep you in F1 beyond 2017? FA: I hope they are on track! Q: But given the fact that the cars will be wider, the tyres will be wider and the cars will be faster - is that what can make you hooked again? FA: Yes, because it means that you are very excited in the car when you jump in. I expect the feeling of ‘wow’ again - as when I started in F1!

I expect the feeling of ‘wow’ again - as when I started in F1 Fernando Alonso on the 2017 regulation changes