Fernando Alonso thrills 170,000 fans at home in Oviedo (pictures and video)

September 6, 2009 at 11:06 am by
50 comments
Fernando Alonso performing for his fans in Spain

Fernando Alonso performing for his fans in Spain

Fernando Alonso took to the streets of his home town in Oviedo, Spain to demonstrate a Renault R28 for his adoring fans.

It’s safe to assume no-one pointed out the R28 was the same car he won last year’s Singapore Grand Prix in…

The twice-champion, who was commemorated with a new street named after him, also drove one of his own brand of karts plus a Renault Megane Trophy race car. Here are some pictures and video from the event.

Lots of footage has already started to appear on YouTube and other sites. During the event Alonso took a camera from a fan and used it to film as he drove along – it would be great to see that footage so if anyone can find it, please post a link below.

And if you were at the roadshow and have pictures and video of your own to share, please upload them to the F1 Fanantic drop.io.

Fernando Alonso Renault Oviedo roadshow pictures

Fernando Alonso Renault Oviedo roadshow video

Images (C) Renault/LAT

Read more: 2009 F1 season | Articles in full | F1 drivers (active) | F1 Pictures | F1 teams (active) | Fernando Alonso | Renault

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50 comments on Fernando Alonso thrills 170,000 fans at home in Oviedo (pictures and video)

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  1. IDR said on 6th September 2009, 11:25

    It’s safe to assume no-one pointed out the R28 was the same car he won last year’s Singapore Grand Prix in…

    No, Keith I’m afraid it’s not safe. The first thing Lobato (Alonso “boyfriend”) said when La Sexta started the TV programme was something like:

    “We are going to watch Fernando driving the R28, the same car with he won Singapore GP last year”

    Was a very nice event. Fernando was making donuts driving a kart with the keens meanwhile he was taking photos with a Fan’s camera.

    A happy day for him and for all Oviedo aficionados.

    Reply

    • IDR said on 6th September 2009, 11:28

      Great pics, as always (I forgot to tell you)

      Reply
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      Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 6th September 2009, 11:33

      No, Keith I’m afraid it’s not safe. The first thing Lobato (Alonso “boyfriend”) said when La Sexta started the TV programme was something like: “We are going to watch Fernando driving the R28, the same car with he won Singapore GP last year”

      LOL! Were you there then?

      Reply

  2. mp4-19b said on 6th September 2009, 11:46

    I want to know who gets more attention in Spain. Nadal or Alonso?

    Reply

  3. sumedh said on 6th September 2009, 11:51

    Is it the 2008 car but in the 2009 livery?

    Reply

  4. Dorian said on 6th September 2009, 12:34

    I’m with you there mp4-19b, I really liked the Mild Seven livery as well. I think the blue/yellow combination worked somehow…

    Reply

    • Bigbadderboom said on 6th September 2009, 20:19

      Agreed, Mild Seven Blue/Yellow was their best livery, much easier on the eyes than the new mess.

      Reply

      • Ads21 said on 7th September 2009, 19:51

        I agree as well the mild seven of ’04 – ’06 was the best livery. It also worked perfectly as it used the same colours as the flag of Alonso’s home region. The Alonso fans would form a sea of blue and yellow everywhere they went.

        Have to say i though the ’07-’08 livery was ok, but the 09 livery really doesnt suit the 08 car. Its an ugly livery so it should stay on the ugly 09 car.

        Reply

  5. sumedh said on 6th September 2009, 13:54

    yes, Mild Seven was best!!!

    Last year’s was also decent.

    This year’s is a fruit salad

    Reply

  6. Leaf said on 6th September 2009, 14:29

    Bet he loves driving the R28 compared to the tank he is in this year! (Yes, I know they have been improving.)

    Reply

  7. slr said on 6th September 2009, 14:32

    With ING pulling out of F1 next year, I hope the blue and yellow livery returns. They could use there Team Spirit logo since tobacco sponsors are not allowed.

    Reply

  8. AJT said on 6th September 2009, 14:55

    wow that renault race car looks pretty awesome!

    Reply

  9. AndrewT said on 6th September 2009, 16:44

    it has some “onboard” features:

    Reply

  10. Andy said on 6th September 2009, 17:22

    Looks like they closed half the city for him to have fun

    Reply
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      Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 6th September 2009, 19:22

      When McLaren wanted to celebrate Hamilton’s title they weren’t even allowed to put on a demo in Woking. And when Ferrari wanted to film that cool advert in London a year or two ago they couldn’t get permission either.I definitely prefer the Spanish attitude…

      Reply

      • Tiomkin said on 6th September 2009, 20:33

        Its the British stiff upper lip. Which means boring. They don’t celebrate success only failure.

        Reply
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          Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 6th September 2009, 21:07

          I think it’s more to do with paranoia about liability. After the (hugely popular) F1 parade in London in 2004 there were some people complaining about how fast the cars had been going and how close to the crowd they were.

          Reply

          • pSynrg said on 7th September 2009, 0:56

            So what! There were a few hundred thousand that thought it was awesome, me being one of them. Organisers drastically underestimated the turn out.

      • Tim said on 7th September 2009, 11:50

        I’d heard it was more to do with the costs of the event rather than public safety fears – Surrey County Council were apparently happy for the event to go ahead but only if McLaren picked up the bill for policing, marshalling, road closures, etc.

        Mika Hakkinen demonstrated a McLaren in Woking after his first title in 1998 and, if I remember rightly, it took place on the main roads around the commercial and shopping district of the town – no other place for it, really. The disruption was fairly substantial so presumably the cost to the council can’t have been insignificant.

        A few years ago Damon Hill demonstrated a Renault F1 car in Whitehall to promote the London motor show – but that took place within an enclosed car park so no need to shut any roads.

        Reply

  11. Kershan said on 6th September 2009, 18:03

    He kind of reminds me of the scallywags who ride those mini motorcycles and quad bikes round our local car park. … except he can actually drive.

    Reply

  12. James Mettam said on 6th September 2009, 18:20

    Awesome video showing Alonso’s skill !

    Reply

  13. Wesley said on 6th September 2009, 18:36

    Well,that was fun!

    I’m with you guys…I love the Mild Seven livery.I usually don’t like light blue or yellow but,it worked together somehow.The retro black and yellow reminds me of the old Suzuki dirt bikes I rode as a kid.

    Reply

  14. maiesky said on 6th September 2009, 19:05

    I didn’t like the Mild Seven one either – the hodge-podge blue-yellow never worked in my eyes.
    (…) They did a version of a modern car in that style of livery in 2007 but sadly they never raced it. It look fantastic.

    Wow! I missed it 2 years ago :( and yes- it is fan-tas-tic! but I have to admin I love livery of R25/26, too.

    Reply

  15. duncanuaz said on 6th September 2009, 19:06

    he nearly hit the wall a few times. thank god they didn’t do one in piquet’s home town :-)

    Reply
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