The final pre-season test has officially got underway and we will finally know what the pecking order is. Interestingly, for McLaren, the team had an unexpected reunion on the track. As it turned out, Fernando Alonso [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/fernando-alonso/] happened to be in the vicinity and decided to drop by. In addition to that, Stoffel Vandoorne and former technical director, Eric Boullier [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89ric_Boullier] were also present at the track. It was quite a pleasant surprise and in no way was it planned at all. For the record, Alonso and Vandoorne are here simply as spectators and will not be stepping into the car. Both Alonso and Vandoorne have no desire to return and are perfectly content with where they are. Alonso will be racing for IndyCAR and hoping to complete the Triple Crown of motorsport. Meanwhile, Vandoorne is in Formula E with HWA RaceLabs and is putting in decent qualifying performances. However, his race craft is something left to be desired. 

In a situation that was 'completely unplanned', the McLaren Renault Formula One
team received some unexpected guests including a certain Fernando Alonso

Dhruv George is a senior Formula One and NASCAR analyst for EssentiallySports,
having authored nearly 12000 articles spanning different sports like F1, NASCAR,
Tennis, NFL, and eSports. He graduated with a PG Diploma in Journalism from the
Xavier Institute of Communications. Dhruv has also conducted interviews with F1
driver Pierre Gasly and Moto2 rider Tony Arbolino. He has been an ardent
follower of motorsports sport since 2001, holding Carlos Sainz Jr. and McLaren
in high regard.

https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Dhruv_George.png

Dhruv George

blockquote

script

McLaren Get an Unexpected Reunion During Second Test

Steelers’ Russell Wilson Clears Stance on George Pickens Blunder as TJ Watt
Sends 4-Word Strong Message After Chiefs Loss

Tom Brady’s Strong Message Against Family Time During Christmas as FOX
Broadcaster Spends Holiday Away From Kids

“Looking Like a Snack” – Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka Gush Over American WTA
Star’s Stunning Holiday Card

NASCAR Lawsuit: Both Parties Reach an Agreement as One Loses the First Bout

Even Christmas Can’t Mask Arkansas’ SEC Misery as Judgement Mounts Over John
Calipari’s Coaching Blunders

Barcelona Testing

Barcelona Testing Archives

Barcelona Testing Archives - EssentiallySports

EssentiallySports

https://www.staging.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/es_circle_black_logo.png

title

In a situation that was 'completely unplanned', the McLaren Renault Formula One team received some unexpected guests including a certain Fernando Alonso

description

link

BREAKING: Alonso arrival sparks unexpected McLaren reunion at Barcelona testing

https://www.essentiallysports.com/mclaren-get-an-unexpected-reunion-during-second-test/

https://www.facebook.com/essentiallysports

https://www.staging.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/carlos-sainz-estrena-mclaren-mcl34-f1-201954657_1.jpg

twitter:card

twitter:creator

twitter:site

twitter:label1

twitter:data1

[caption id="attachment_835039" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-835039 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2021-11-21T161313Z_1041160154_UP1EHBL191ZJU_RTRMADP_3_MOTOR-F1-QATAR.jpg" alt="Alpine F1 driver Fernando Alonso" width="1920" height="1357" /> Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Losail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - November 21, 2021 Third placed Alpine's Fernando Alonso celebrates on the podium with champagne REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani[/caption]
<h2><strong>Fernando Alonso 2022: </strong><strong>Net Worth, Salary, and Endorsements</strong></h2>
Fernando Alonso has been established as one of the best drivers of his generation. The Spaniard is one driver who should never be underestimated. Even in a car that was not up to the mark, he would wring out every ounce of performance and put it in places where it should not be.

He made his debut in 2001 driving for Minardi. It was also the same year that <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/kimi-raikkonen/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kimi Raikkonen</a> made his debut. In 2002, he joined forces with <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/f1/renault/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Renault</a> in the capacity of a test driver before graduating to a race seat in 2003.

After winning two back-to-back championships, he moved to <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/f1/mclaren/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">McLaren</a>. However, he returned to Renault a year later. In 2010, he joined <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/f1/ferrari/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ferrari</a> and raced for them until 2014. Finally, he returned to McLaren in 2015 and stayed with them until his retirement in 2018.

Shortly after retiring, Fernando Alonso and NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb0pTpqGkpU" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">swapped rides</a> as part of a special one-off event. The double World Champion drove Johnson's Chevrolet Camaro by Hendrick Motorsports while Johnson took to the wheel of Alonso's 2018 McLaren F1 car.

However, Alonso's 'retirement' from Formula 1 didn't last very long. In July 2020, Alonso announced his return to the pinnacle of motorsport with Renault turned Alpine in 2021. Coming full circle, Alonso rejoined the French team, having completed 2 previous stints with the Enstone outfit.

The Spaniard partnered Esteban Ocon at the Renault-powered Alpine Racing over the 2021 season. Alonso went on to clinch his first podium in years at the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix.

He will stay with the team until the end of 2022 while his teammate extended his stay until the end of 2024.

READ MORE- <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/who-all-has-former-f1-driver-fernando-alonso-dated-a-list-of-his-girlfriends-from-the-past/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-wpel-link="internal">Who Has Fernando Alonso Dated? A List of His Girlfriends From the Past</a>
<h2><strong>Fernando Alonso: Stats and On-track Achievements</strong></h2>
Fernando Alonso is a double-World Champion with the Renault F1 team. His maiden podium came in 2003 in what was just his second race for Renault at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Later that year, the maiden win would follow at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_Grand_Prix" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hungarian Grand Prix</a>. He bagged a few more podiums in 2004. And in 2005, he wrestled the championship away from<a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/michael-schumacher/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Michael Schumacher</a>. That year, he won by a hefty 21 points ahead of Kimi Raikkonen, and Michael Schumacher was held off by a 60-point void.

2006 was a bit closer between him and Michael, with 13 points separating them. In 2007, <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/lewis-hamilton/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Lewis Hamilton</a> happened, and it was a tumultuous year for Alonso and his new team, McLaren.

Beyond that year, the win well gradually began to dry up for the Spaniard. He only picked up 13 wins across 10 years. The 2013 Spanish Grand Prix was his last win for Ferrari and in Formula One.

In an F1 career spanning 17 years, Alonso started 322 Grand Prix, winning 32 races and clinching 97 podiums in the process. He also racked up 1937 points.

It's no secret that Alonso is aiming for the 'triple crown' in motorsport. The triple crown involves winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Monaco Grand Prix, and the Indianapolis 500.

Alonso has triumphed in Monaco and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Spaniard is keen to add another feather to his cap with a win at the Indy500.

Sadly, he's been unlucky so far. In his first attempt in 2017, Alonso retired from the race, having led the race for a commendable 27 laps. In 2019, Alonso failed to qualify for the event following a series of issues, which weren't entirely of his own making. He competed in the 2020 event with Arrow McLaren SP but hardly made an impression as he qualified P26 and reached home in P21.

[caption id="attachment_484160" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-484160" src="https://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-838396468.jpg" alt="Fernando Alonso ahead of the 2017 Belgian Grand prix" width="1920" height="1280" /> SPA, BELGIUM - AUGUST 24: Fernando Alonso of Spain and McLaren Honda talks in the Paddock during previews ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)[/caption]
<h2><strong>Fernando Alonso: 2022 Net Worth</strong></h2>
Fernando's net worth is <a href="https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-athletes/race-car-drivers/fernando-alonso-net-worth/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">estimated to be worth $240 million</a>. His annual salary in his final F1 season with McLaren <a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/fernando-alonso/#4e1ee7534406" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">was a whopping $33 million</a>. Despite staying away from F1 for 2 whole seasons, he received a king's welcome at Alpine, as the Spaniard enjoyed a salary of $25M in 2021, which also rated him as the <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brettknight/2021/07/22/formula-1-highest-paid-drivers-hamilton-verstappen/?sh=47a3a6fe1182" target="_blank" rel="noopener">third highest-paid driver</a> on the grid. As of 2022, Alonso will earn $20M per year and is likely to extend his Alpine F1 contract at least until the end of 2023.

He won the Sports Prince of Asturias Award in 2005.
<h2><strong>Fernando Alonso: Endorsements</strong></h2>
He was 39th on the Forbes list of Highest-Paid Athletes in 2018. He received around $1 million in endorsements and a salary of $33 million. Fernando Alonso often sports cool sunglasses, which are made by his own fashion brand- Kimoa, a brand that he is sponsored by.
<h2>Best Moments of Fernando Alonso</h2>
<h2><strong>Fernando Alonso: Foundations and Charity</strong></h2>
Fernando Alonso supports the <a href="https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/fernando-alonso" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sightsavers International foundation</a>. It works to combat blindness in developing countries, restoring sight through specialist treatment and eye care. They also support people who are irreversibly blind by providing education, counseling, and training. He is also the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF.

In 2007, Fernando founded the <a href="https://www.fernandoalonso.com/category/fundacion/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fundación Fernando Alonso</a>, which is a foundation that aims to promote road safety.

<strong>ALSO READ- </strong><a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/f1-coronavirus-news-fernando-alonso-join-hands-with-unicef-to-donate-masks-in-spain/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-wpel-link="internal">Fernando Alonso Join Hands With UNICEF to Donate Masks in Spain</a>
<h3>How to contact Fernando Alonso</h3>
Fans can reach out to Fernando Alonso through his official website at <a href="https://www.fernandoalonso.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.fernandoalonso.com</a>

Alternatively, those interested can contact Alonso through his multiple social media handles, which include -  <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fernandoalo_oficial/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/alo_oficial?lang=es" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Twitter</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FernandoAlonsoOficial/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a>.
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Age</strong></td>
<td width="319">40</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Marital Status</strong></td>
<td width="319">Divorced</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Spouse</strong></td>
<td width="319">None</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Residence</strong></td>
<td width="319">Switzerland</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Nationality</strong></td>
<td width="319">Spanish</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Endorsements</strong></td>
<td width="319">Kimoa</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Height</strong></td>
<td width="319">1.71m</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Ethnicity</strong></td>
<td width="319">White</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Championships</strong></td>
<td width="319">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Kids</strong></td>
<td width="319">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Fernando Alonso

Formula One F1 &#8211; Qatar Grand Prix &#8211; Losail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar &#8211; November 21, 2021 Third placed Alpine&#8217;s Fernando Alonso celebrates on the podium with champagne REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani Fernando Alonso 2022: Net Worth, Salary, and Endorsements Fernando Alonso has been established as one of the best drivers of his generation. The Spaniard is one driver who should never be underestimated. Even in a car that was not up to the mark, he would wring out every ounce of performance and put it in places where it should not be. He made his debut in 2001 driving for Minardi. It was also the same year that Kimi Raikkonen made his debut. In 2002, he joined forces with Renault in the capacity of a test driver before graduating to a race seat in 2003. After winning two back-to-back championships, he moved to McLaren. However, he returned to Renault a year later. In 2010, he joined Ferrari and raced for them until 2014. Finally, he returned to McLaren in 2015 and stayed with them until his retirement in 2018. Shortly after retiring, Fernando Alonso and NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson swapped rides as part of a special one-off event. The double World Champion drove Johnson&#8217;s Chevrolet Camaro by Hendrick Motorsports while Johnson took to the wheel of Alonso&#8217;s 2018 McLaren F1 car. However, Alonso&#8217;s &#8216;retirement&#8217; from Formula 1 didn&#8217;t last very long. In July 2020, Alonso announced his return to the pinnacle of motorsport with Renault turned Alpine in 2021. Coming full circle, Alonso rejoined the French team, having completed 2 previous stints with the Enstone outfit. The Spaniard partnered Esteban Ocon at the Renault-powered Alpine Racing over the 2021 season. Alonso went on to clinch his first podium in years at the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix. He will stay with the team until the end of 2022 while his teammate extended his stay until the end of 2024. READ MORE- Who Has Fernando Alonso Dated? A List of His Girlfriends From the Past Fernando Alonso: Stats and On-track Achievements Fernando Alonso is a double-World Champion with the Renault F1 team. His maiden podium came in 2003 in what was just his second race for Renault at the Malaysian Grand Prix. Later that year, the maiden win would follow at the Hungarian Grand Prix. He bagged a few more podiums in 2004. And in 2005, he wrestled the championship away from Michael Schumacher. That year, he won by a hefty 21 points ahead of Kimi Raikkonen, and Michael Schumacher was held off by a 60-point void. 2006 was a bit closer between him and Michael, with 13 points separating them. In 2007, Lewis Hamilton happened, and it was a tumultuous year for Alonso and his new team, McLaren. Beyond that year, the win well gradually began to dry up for the Spaniard. He only picked up 13 wins across 10 years. The 2013 Spanish Grand Prix was his last win for Ferrari and in Formula One. In an F1 career spanning 17 years, Alonso started 322 Grand Prix, winning 32 races and clinching 97 podiums in the process. He also racked up 1937 points. It&#8217;s no secret that Alonso is aiming for the &#8216;triple crown&#8217; in motorsport. The triple crown involves winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Monaco Grand Prix, and the Indianapolis 500. Alonso has triumphed in Monaco and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Spaniard is keen to add another feather to his cap with a win at the Indy500. Sadly, he&#8217;s been unlucky so far. In his first attempt in 2017, Alonso retired from the race, having led the race for a commendable 27 laps. In 2019, Alonso failed to qualify for the event following a series of issues, which weren&#8217;t entirely of his own making. He competed in the 2020 event with Arrow McLaren SP but hardly made an impression as he qualified P26 and reached home in P21. SPA, BELGIUM &#8211; AUGUST 24: Fernando Alonso of Spain and McLaren Honda talks in the Paddock during previews ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) Fernando Alonso: 2022 Net Worth Fernando&#8217;s net worth is estimated to be worth $240 million. His annual salary in his final F1 season with McLaren was a whopping $33 million. Despite staying away from F1 for 2 whole seasons, he received a king&#8217;s welcome at Alpine, as the Spaniard enjoyed a salary of $25M in 2021, which also rated him as the third highest-paid driver on the grid. As of 2022, Alonso will earn $20M per year and is likely to extend his Alpine F1 contract at least until the end of 2023. He won the Sports Prince of Asturias Award in 2005. Fernando Alonso: Endorsements He was 39th on the Forbes list of Highest-Paid Athletes in 2018. He received around $1 million in endorsements and a salary of $33 million. Fernando Alonso often sports cool sunglasses, which are made by his own fashion brand- Kimoa, a brand that he is sponsored by. Best Moments of Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso: Foundations and Charity Fernando Alonso supports the Sightsavers International foundation. It works to combat blindness in developing countries, restoring sight through specialist treatment and eye care. They also support people who are irreversibly blind by providing education, counseling, and training. He is also the goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. In 2007, Fernando founded the Fundación Fernando Alonso, which is a foundation that aims to promote road safety. ALSO READ- Fernando Alonso Join Hands With UNICEF to Donate Masks in Spain How to contact Fernando Alonso Fans can reach out to Fernando Alonso through his official website at https://www.fernandoalonso.com Alternatively, those interested can contact Alonso through his multiple social media handles, which include &#8211;  Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.  Age 40  Marital Status Divorced  Spouse None  Residence Switzerland  Nationality Spanish  Endorsements Kimoa  Height 1.71m  Ethnicity White  Championships 2  Kids 0

Fernando Alonso Archives

Fernando Alonso Archives - EssentiallySports

<strong>History</strong>

The Formula One World Championship first started back in 1950. The very first F1 champion was Italy's Guiseppe Farina who raced for Alfa Romeo.

The sport has had 33 different champions in its history and a few of them are multiple championship winners. Currently, the driver with the most championships is <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/michael-schumacher/">Michael Schumacher</a> with 7 under his belt. However, <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/f1/mercedes">Mercedes</a> driver <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/lewis-hamilton/">Lewis Hamilton</a> will be eager to overhaul that. Hamilton currently holds 6 World Championships and stands on the cusp of equalling Michael Schumacher's record at the end of the season.

[caption id="attachment_394613" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-394613 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200929180846/2020-09-27T125344Z_1587606816_UP1EG9R0ZTK0Z_RTRMADP_3_MOTOR-F1-RUSSIA-1-1.jpg" alt="Lewis Hamilton Racing In The Russian GP" width="1920" height="1185" /> Formula One F1 - Russian Grand Prix - Sochi Autodrom, Sochi, Russia - Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton in action during the race. Pool via REUTERS/Yuri Kochetkov[/caption]

Hamilton and Mercedes are the defending Champions with the pair's dominance unlikely to end anytime soon.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-99263" src="http://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/F1-logo-f.png" alt="Formula One" width="2048" height="1536" />

For a long time, Bernie Ecclestone was the F1 supremo, having founded the Formula One Group. He spent 40 years as chief executive of the company after gaining control of the commercial rights.

But in 2017, he stepped down and ownership was handed to Liberty Media who have been taking care of F1 since then. To herald their control, they even changed the F1 logo.

Chase Carey was the first F1 CEO in the 'liberty era' of F1 and will be stepping down at the end of the year. Former Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali will succeed the American in 2021.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-126049" src="http://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/f1-logo-2018.jpg" alt="sports brand" width="1920" height="1080" />

The Formula One world championship is considered by many to be the pinnacle of motorsport. It has produced champions like Fangio, <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/ayrton-senna/">Ayrton Senna</a>, <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/alain-prost/">Alain Prost</a>, Schumacher, <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/fernando-alonso/">Fernando Alonso</a>, Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet, Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen, Sebastian Vettel and many many more.
<table width="516">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="264"><strong>Number of Seasons</strong></td>
<td width="246">70</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="264"><strong>Number of Teams</strong></td>
<td width="246">20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="264"><strong>Most Number of Driver's titles</strong></td>
<td width="246">7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="264"><strong>Most Number of Constructors Titles</strong></td>
<td width="246">16</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="264"><strong>Most Wins</strong></td>
<td width="246">91</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="264"><strong>Most Poles</strong></td>
<td width="246">96</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Formula One

History The Formula One World Championship first started back in 1950. The very first F1 champion was Italy&#8217;s Guiseppe Farina who raced for Alfa Romeo. The sport has had 33 different champions in its history and a few of them are multiple championship winners. Currently, the driver with the most championships is Michael Schumacher with 7 under his belt. However, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton will be eager to overhaul that. Hamilton currently holds 6 World Championships and stands on the cusp of equalling Michael Schumacher&#8217;s record at the end of the season. Formula One F1 &#8211; Russian Grand Prix &#8211; Sochi Autodrom, Sochi, Russia &#8211; Mercedes&#8217; Lewis Hamilton in action during the race. Pool via REUTERS/Yuri Kochetkov Hamilton and Mercedes are the defending Champions with the pair&#8217;s dominance unlikely to end anytime soon. For a long time, Bernie Ecclestone was the F1 supremo, having founded the Formula One Group. He spent 40 years as chief executive of the company after gaining control of the commercial rights. But in 2017, he stepped down and ownership was handed to Liberty Media who have been taking care of F1 since then. To herald their control, they even changed the F1 logo. Chase Carey was the first F1 CEO in the &#8216;liberty era&#8217; of F1 and will be stepping down at the end of the year. Former Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali will succeed the American in 2021. The Formula One world championship is considered by many to be the pinnacle of motorsport. It has produced champions like Fangio, Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet, Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen, Sebastian Vettel and many many more.  Number of Seasons 70  Number of Teams 20  Most Number of Driver&#8217;s titles 7  Most Number of Constructors Titles 16  Most Wins 91  Most Poles 96