The ex-driver from Valencia, who is now the team manager in the World Series, repeated year after the year to whoever would listen to him. Fernando Alonso, he said, would be the driver who would make Schumacher retire. Many people laughed at him and at the young driver who had signed for his team. However, the majority did not take any notice of him. Now, nobody is laughing at him and we should all recognise that Campos knows what he's talking about.�

The photo taken on Saturday said it all. The press conference held with the top three drivers in the training sessions of the Malaysian GP brought together Jarno Trullo, Michael Schumacher and the unexpected poleman, Fernando Alonso. The Asturian, with an ear-to-ear smile, expressed his satisfaction on being the first Spanish driver to achieve a position in the history of Formula 1. On one side, the great Schumacher looked on at him with a mixture of happiness and curiosity whilst Trulli laughed so as not to cry. The reason ebing that the photo clearly situated him as Renault's number two driver.

The next day, Alonso raced brilliantly. Despite the fever and a race with many problems, he drove impeccably, not committing a single mistake. When he had to battle against the McLarens and Ferraris, he did so with his head held high and with his foot firmly on the accelerator.� His podium finish, which he completely deserved, reflects the extraordinary class of a driver who seems to have been blessed with a special grace, that of great idols.

Let's not forget that the season has only just started.


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