Renault and Alonso get their 'crowns' (with pictures)

10/12/2005

Yesterday evening in Monaco, the Renault F1 Team and Fernando Alonso were presented with their trophies at the FIA prizegiving.

During the FIA Prizegiving Gala, held yesterday in the Salle des Etoiles of the Sporting d'Ete in Monte Carlo, attended by His Serene Highness Prince Albert of Monaco, FIA President Max Mosley, and representatives from throughout motosport and the international press, the Renault F1 Team was officially crowned World Constructors' Champions while Fernando Alonso, the youngest champion in history, received the trophy for winning driver. To mark the occasion, a Renault F1 car was suspended vertically on the stage to salute the team's performances.

All Champions of World Motor Sport, in championships organised by the FIA, attended the exceptional Gala, an annual event that mixes glamour and celebration. Managing Director Flavio Briatore and Fernando Alonso represented the F1 World Champion team on stage. Having received their trophies, they are now both officially world champions.

Flavio Briatore: "This tribute is very important to us. Since Renault returned to F1 in 2002, we have improved step by step, and finally won both championships through our hard work. Personally, I am delighted. But this is an award for the whole team. More than 800 people worked tirelessly to allow Renault to fight at the front, and a whole family of partners supported us. This is their trophy."

Fernando Alonso: "I look at this trophy and say to myself that one day, when I have children, I will be able to tell them that I was World Champion! It represents the work of a whole team, and the achievement of a dream. We had to fight to win this, and I am proud to have done so. Hopefully, this is just the start. I am only 24 years old and I hope to come back on this stage many times in the future, to receive this prize. At present, I have achieved my ambition and I need to find new challenges now. 2006 will be one of them. This title has taught me that the most important thing in life is to be happy. Today, I really am."

To check out our FIA Gala Prize Giving picture gallery, click here