Alonso unhurt in plane crash - report

Eurosport - Tue, 06 Jan 11:17:00 2009

Fernando Alonso has escaped unhurt after being in a plane crash in Malindi, Kenya, according to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

2008 Belgium GP Renault Alonso - 0

Alonso and his family were in the process of taking off around 6pm on Sunday when the private jet touched an airport building and damaged a wing.

Alonso, his wife Raquel Del Rosario, his brother-in-law Marta Del Rosario and the pilot Alberto Fernandez were all unhurt in the accident.

"It's not as serious as it appears on the Internet," said a spokeswoman for the Spaniard. "But Fernando's had to postpone his return and will fly back today."

Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper reported that the private plane had clipped a wing on the terminal building as it was preparing to take off.

The two-times world champion was in Kenya for a New Year's Eve party being hosted by Renault boss Flavio Briatore.

Alonso, who has two years still to run on his contact with Renault, has long been linked with a move away from the team to join up with Ferrari.

Initially touted as a replacement for Felipe Massa, it has now been reported that Alonso could replace 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen at the Italian team, after the Finn struggled last season, winning just two Grands Prix and finishing third in the drivers' championship.

"That Fernando has always had an interest to drive for Ferrari is not a secret," Alonso's manager has said.

"What can I say though? 2010 is far away. It is too soon to speak about."

Pippa Davis / Eurosport

Comment 17 - 36 of 96

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  1. An article on Alonso surviving a plane crash finishes­ up by again speculating on where he'll drive in the­ future? Are all F1 journalists trained to turn any­ story around in order to rehash the same rumours and­ gossip? New headline and story:

    Allan McNish wins­ Kettle in Lottery Following F1 snub.

    After so much­ success McNish has won a kettle in a local raffle, a­ matter of pride after he was dropped from F1.

    Talking­ of F1, Alonso might drive for Ferrari next year.

    From ginger_gitt, on Mon 5 Jan 11:31AM

  2. MIKE Q PROSIT WELL SAID I AGREE WITH YOU THATS WHAT MAN­ SHOULD BEHAVE LIKE AGAIN PROSIT

    From stivsf1, on Mon 5 Jan 11:28AM

  3. This news has brought out the incredible and­ unbelievable hatred some people posses any team or­ driver should come out and disown such cowards like­ they did over the incidents in Spain I still remember­ the cheering when M.S broke his legs in Silverstone.

    From stivsf1, on Mon 5 Jan 11:25AM

  4. mauricechlela - You comment is complete rubbish. I work­ within the F1 environment, so obviously I travel around­ the world. I meet people from all sorts of backgrounds­ and let me tell you, Hamilton has plenty of fans­ outside of the UK, so please don't comment on­ something you know nothing about. Why has this turned­ into and Alonso v Hamilton row? Glad to hear EVERYONE­ is safe.

    From redimaster, on Mon 5 Jan 11:20AM

  5. I cannot believe some of the venom I'm reading­ here!
    You should be ashamed!

    From Count Louis Zborowski, on Mon 5 Jan 11:17AM

  6. I'm very pleased he's OK.
    He's my favourite­ driver- but my most disliked personality in F1. If that­ makes sense!
    Mauricechela. F1 audience has increased­ since Hamilton came into it. Fact. -Because he's­ very marketable.
    Logically he has a bigger fan base in­ the UK but he has fans worldwide, like all other­ drivers. FOR EXAMPLE, a Brazilian neighbour of mine­ says that Massa lacks fair play and he supports­ Hamilton- among others! I don't agree.
    Which is­ just the point. Real racing fans appreciate the racers­ for their skill and daring. They're not footballers­ who people follow because they're trendy,­ good-looking, funny, own fashion companies or make­ records etc Likewise the fan base has always been, with­ the exception of Ferrari, generally non-partisan.­ Unfortunately, with the rise of F1 in some countries,­ and the rise of Hamilton in the UK, the fan base is­ becoming more footballesque.

    From Count Louis Zborowski, on Mon 5 Jan 11:16AM

  7. some of you are .....how bad people can you be....wish­ he had this wish he had that....what are you­ people...
    sad that he didnt had an accident?
    thats not­ good i hope god will help u and will never give your­ life bad moments...
    face it we need good drivers with­ or without big mouth...makes the racing beautifull­ interesting...
    get a life and stop wishing for someone­ to have an accident...life has a lot to offer look­ around...smile

    From Chantelle C, on Mon 5 Jan 11:14AM

  8. I don't like Alonso, but he is a good driver and­ your comment stinks Miguel.

    From Mike, on Mon 5 Jan 11:11AM

  9. Very pleased that Fernando and family escaped without­ serious injury. Not so pleased with some of the­ childish comments on the story.

    From USA 1, on Mon 5 Jan 11:11AM

  10. miguel b and chris.iremonger - Hamilton fanboys then?­ How can you say that you would be pleased if he was­ hurt in the crash, this news story was about the plane­ crash not about Hamiltons feud with Alonso

    From chrisborrowdale, on Mon 5 Jan 11:10AM

  11. What is wrong with you people - no wonder the world is­ like it is with twats like you about :( :(

    From Philip W, on Mon 5 Jan 11:08AM

  12. 23 and 24 - Be very careful of what you wish for other­ people. This is a forum for a sport not a vindictive­ site for your spiteful and horrific (yes, HORRIFIC)­ remarks.

    From m.e.jenner, on Mon 5 Jan 11:07AM

  13. Even though I support all British Teams & Drivers,­ I would have been saddened had Fernando (and anyone­ else) been hurt or killed in the plane crash. F1 needs­ as many drivers as possible challenging for the­ title.

    As for Fernando driving for Ferrari, it­ won't happen as long as Kimi & Felipe both­ drive well. I don't think (in my opinion) that it­ would be a good move for Fernando anyway. Micheal was­ at his best with Ferrari, David was & Lewis is at­ their best with McLaren, and Fernando will be at his­ best with Renault. The sooner he realises that, the­ better and happier he'll be.

    From Alien, on Mon 5 Jan 11:05AM
  14. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Very glad and relieved to see that Alonso's family­ escaped unhurt - not so happy that he also escaped­ without injury - there is obviously no God or justice­ on this planet, permanent paralysis from the neck down­ ( hopefully including his never shut mouth ) are no­ less than he deserves.

    From miguel b, on Mon 5 Jan 10:59AM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    pity he didn't bite the dust in my opinion, hes a­ spoilt brat of a racer, and the worlds better off­ without people like him. But hey thats just my opinion.­ (6)

    From chris.iremonger, on Mon 5 Jan 10:43AM

  16. GOOD NEWS ALL OK. NOW LET'S MOVE ON

    From I TYSON, on Mon 5 Jan 10:40AM

  17. RICK K GROW UP ! YOU SOUND LIKE A YANK

    From I TYSON, on Mon 5 Jan 10:39AM

  18. mauricechlela,
    thanks for your reply. I might have­ sounded biased but am a fan of neither driver. However,­ the racist incidents ( true or false) did make alonso­ lose fans worldwide. I do appreciate it was not alonso­ but a bunch of fans in spain who were to be blamed.
    At­ the end of the day, its great to know he is unharmed. I­ have met him in person here in Abu Dhabi.

    From Hamad, on Mon 5 Jan 10:34AM

  19. As a sport fan in general, it is with great relief that­ all escaped unhurt. All the best Fernando

    From francis8985, on Mon 5 Jan 10:33AM

  20. What out there will be a stewards enquiry hold on to­ that trophy Lewis Ohhhhh thats bitchy

    From edward.wheeler3, on Mon 5 Jan 10:32AM
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