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[sagi58]

I guess they have the money if they want to do it. So if they have a passion for something they can do it. It's nice that he's getting involved in something he enjoys and also saving the team. I hope he's successful and in a few years when he goes international with it I may get to see his team out here on the tour de France!

It's a good question ...... have any other drivers done anything like this? I'm not sure, not quite like this I don't think.

I'm sure some of them have all sorts of money they haven't yet spent...
I remember Schumi donating millions after the tsunami a few years back...

 wrote:">Schumacher donates $10m relief aid

[operaman]

As WB said this is a Pro Tour team and as such is already qualified to do all the best races. The team has quite a long history, though not always under the same sponsorship and name. The most recognized name for most of us would be "Banesto", under whose colours Miguel Indurain won 5 TDF's. What is most interesting to me however was learning that Banesto (the sponsor) was a Spanish bank that was purchased some years ago by ...... Santander. Since it has been stated that Alonso has already lined up sponsors (thus saving his own coin), I wonder if Santander is at the top of the list.

Pro racers are an interesting lot, often putting their money (or using their name) to support projects of various kinds. Alonso comes from a working-class background (father a miner, mother a teacher), so he knows the value of a dollar. It is great to see him become involved in a project like this and clever of him not to be involving too much of his own money. Cheers to Fernando and his new, old team!

[racechick]

Really? I knew Alonso was from working class background but I though his father was a mechanic and his mother worked in a department store.

[operaman]

Really? I knew Alonso was from working class background but I though his father was a mechanic and his mother worked in a department store.

Well, I'm not entirely sure to be honest. I got the info from my gf, the "World's Biggest Alonso Fan". It's also possible I misremembered ... she says listening is not one of my better skills.

[sagi58]

Regardless, Alonso was obviously not born into money. He and his family must have worked hard
and sacrificed much for him to race as a youngster! Will have to look up the particulars, now!!

[What's Burning?]

Regardless, Alonso was obviously not born into money. He and his family must have worked hard
and sacrificed much for him to race as a youngster!

Oh just like Lewis Hamilton.

[operaman]

Regardless, Alonso was obviously not born into money. He and his family must have worked hard
and sacrificed much for him to race as a youngster!

Oh just like Lewis Hamilton.

I guess so. I really don't know much about the financial situation of the Hamilton family, but I do know that Lewis faced a number of challenges as he rose through the ranks. Detractors like to point to the support he received from McLaren as the reason for his success, but Lewis earned that support through hard work and his obvious talent. Both Alonso and Hamilton are very deserving of the success they have enjoyed.

[andrew]

Only Alonso wasn't picked-up by a leading F1 team when he was a kid so got where he is by sheer graft, determination and his family making sacrifices.

[bud]

True but they didn't start supporting Lewis as a kid because of his good looks.

[sagi58]

Regardless, Alonso was obviously not born into money. He and his family must have worked hard
and sacrificed much for him to race as a youngster!

Oh just like Lewis Hamilton.

And, just like Michael Schumacher, eh?

Seems to be a common thread with the most talented drivers in F1, eh?
Their supporters will point to the hardships they've overcome, while others
will point to the advantages they've benefitted from.

[racechick]

Schumachers family owned a kart track. Lewis lived on a council estate in Stevenage. He drove his first cart round his dads balcony. ( his parents separated when he was ...I think 2)

[LRW]

And this has what to do with cycling .... ?

[racechick]

D'you know, I was wondering exactly the same thing

[operaman]

And this has what to do with cycling .... ?

Ummmmm ..... Alonso just bought a cycling team.

[andrew]

Schumachers family owned a kart track. Lewis lived on a council estate in Stevenage. He drove his first cart round his dads balcony. ( his parents separated when he was ...I think 2)

Must have been a big balcony.