During the course of the 2016 F1 season we bring you exclusive access to some of the personalities in the McLaren-Honda Formula 1 team. Meet the men and women who keep the team on track throughout a race weekend, at the circuit and back at the McLaren Technology Centre.

NAME:

Fernando Alonso

NICKNAME:

'Nano'







JOB ROLE:

Formula 1 racing driver.

PIT STOP ROLE:

I have a reserved seat! And I’m always impressed by how quick and efficient our boys are.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED AT McLAREN?

On and off, about two and a half years.

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 3 WORDS…

Tenacious. Committed. Zen-like.







FAVOURITE RACE LOCATION?

Definitely Suzuka.

FIRST McLAREN MEMORY?

Watching Senna and Prost always winning. And my red and white ‘McLaren’ kart when I was a boy.

BEST McLAREN MEMORY?

My 2007 car – the MP4-22. It was beautiful, really fast, and gave us some amazing victories.

FAVOURITE RACE IN McLAREN HISTORY?

Ayrton’s wins at Monaco in 1992 and Donington Park in 1993. Both amazing.







WHAT WOULD BE YOUR THREE F1 TRAVEL ESSENTIALS?

My passport, my phone and my crash helmet. The first one gets me into the country, the second one keeps me going, and the last one gets me in the car. Don’t need much more.

BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?

The privilege of driving the best, most technically advanced cars in the world. It’s an honour.







FAVOURITE McLAREN DRIVER – PAST OR PRESENT?

Ayrton Senna.

WHEN NOT AT WORK, I LIKE TO…

Train. Ride my bike. Do things that a normal guy likes to do.







INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOURSELF…

I’m a good cook – at least, that’s what my friends and family tell me!

WHAT FUELS YOU THROUGH YOUR DAY?

My determination to achieve my goals.

YOUR FAVOURITE LUBRICATION (DRINK!)?

Chilled still water.







IF I WASN’T WORKING IN FORMULA 1, I WOULD BE….

A cyclist – or, if not, a maths teacher.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?

I earned my first salary when I raced in karts as a kid – that was the first time I ever got paid!