Fernando Alonso casts his mind back to a titan of the sport, Michael Schumacher. Describing Schumacher as a formidable “tough guy” with a demeanor as “very cold,” Alonso, now 42, delves into their historic battles for the world championships in the mid-2000s. In a candid revelation to the DAZN documentary Fernando-Revelado, Alonso reflects on Schumacher not just as a rival, but as an early inspiration.
“Rival, rivalry, but an inspiration too,” Alonso shares, painting a vivid picture of a young aspirant drawing mental sketches of Schumacher’s every move long before they would meet on the battlefield. The Spaniard, a fledgling in his early 20s during their epic confrontations, recalls how Schumacher’s dominance in F1 served as a beacon, guiding his own ascent through the motorsport ranks.
Alonso describes a meticulous preparation phase, a years-long shadow campaign aimed squarely at one day matching Schumacher wheel-to-wheel. And when that day came in 2005, Alonso found himself locked in a duel with a man who was not only a relentless competitor on the track but a daunting presence off it. “Michael was a really tough guy in everything – not only on the track at a sporting level, but also outside. He was very cold, always keeping his distance and always trying to intimidate,” Alonso recounts, shedding light on the psychological warfare that permeated their encounters.
Yet, amidst the tension, Alonso saw a model of dedication and prowess in Schumacher, whose every action seemed calculated to maintain an edge over his adversaries. Despite the chill in their off-track interactions, Alonso viewed their rivalry with a certain reverence, acknowledging the fierce spirit they both shared.
It was a rivalry that tested Alonso’s mettle, pushing him to elevate his game to heights he had never before reached. “You knew there was a rivalry, but he took it literally. I had that competitive spirit too and we clashed often, but with respect. But it was a tough rivalry,” Alonso admits, reflecting on the respect that underpinned their fierce competition.
