On this day in 2010: Alonso's first Ferrari run
Thousands turned out to see the double world champ hit the track in the scarlet car for the first time
For a full decade the Tifosi worshipped Michael Schumacher - and why not? He was the man who finally ended their 21-year-long wait for a drivers' title, before he became so all-powerful no other driver got near him for a full five years.
Schumi left at the end of the 2006 season. Kimi Raikkonen delivered the title in 2007 (just) and Felipe Massa was within seconds of clinching it in 2008, only to lose out to Lewis Hamilton.
But 2009 was a lean year with just one win for the Scuderia from an increasingly disinterested-looking Raikkonen (does he ever look anything else?).
The Tifosi needed a new hero. And on February 3, 2010, they finally got their first glimpse of their new gladiator when Fernando Alonso drove a Ferrari for the first time.
First look: A huge crowd turned out to watch Alonso in his new wheels
More than 36,000 fans turned up to see the two-time world champion take to the track for his first official run in the scarlet car, in pre-season testing at Valencia.
He pounded round in the F10 and eventually set the fastest time of the day while Schumacher - Alonso's predecessor in the Ferrari fans' favourite stakes - was third fastest in the Mercedes, proving that it was all coming back to him after three years out of the sport.
Alonso went on to spend five years with the Scuderia, but despite some incredible drives in a car that was rarely, if ever, the class of the field, the Spaniard never managed to add to his haul of two world titles - finishing second to Sebastian Vettel an agonising three times.
Top of the pops: Alonso posted the fastest time on his first day as a Ferrari driver, watched on by thousands of fans
Join In
Comments (0)