Fernando Alonso’s unmatched adaptability and race pace set him apart, as recalled by his first F1 teammate, Tarso Marques.
In the 2001 season standings, Fernando Alonso, then driving for Minardi, was officially outperformed (based on best final position, with no points scored) by… Tarso Marques, his very first teammate!
23 years later, Fernando Alonso is still racing in F1, having become the most experienced driver in the sport ahead of Kimi Räikkönen.
For Aston Martin F1, the two men recently reunited for a meeting.
Tarso Marques recalls the welcome he gave Fernando Alonso in 2001 at Minardi. Did he expect to team up with such a future star of the sport?
“I had heard about Fernando as a promising young talent in junior categories. I knew he was very young and very fast, but the first time I met him was just two weeks before the first race of the 2001 season.”
“He had signed with Minardi before me—I joined the team later because I was initially set to race in IndyCar that year before they contacted me. One of my responsibilities was to guide Fernando, as I had more experience—that was one of the main reasons the team hired me: to try and help Fernando.”
It’s often said that Fernando Alonso isn’t the easiest teammate to work with, but that wasn’t the case with the young Fernando, according to Marques…
“I immediately appreciated his personality, and he became a friend. I never really had teammates as friends, but Fernando was the first I truly got along with. I’ve always said racing drivers can’t be friends—a lot of what you see on TV isn’t true—but with him, we genuinely got along.”
“Fernando has always been a shy person, but at the same time, he’s happy and comfortable around people he knows well. He was very young and reserved, just like I was when we first met, but as we got to know each other, we really connected.”
“He is very loyal and remembers those who supported him early in his career and throughout it, treating them well. Of course, he’s highly competitive—after all, he’s a Formula 1 driver and a world champion—but he’s also a genuinely charming person, and I don’t think he’s changed since the 19-year-old I met years ago.”
“Obviously, we were much closer when we were teammates, and I don’t know him as well now, but the few times we’ve met since, we’ve always had a great time, and that bond is still there.”
The 2001 season, however, was particularly challenging: Minardi simply didn’t have a competitive F1 car, and its drivers struggled at the back of the grid.
“In 2001, we were in a tough situation because Minardi didn’t have the financial resources to improve the car. We tried to help each other and the team, spending a lot of time together—that created a bond. We even went on holiday together. I know a very funny man who loves making jokes and teasing people; he’s really great.”
Alonso, the Master of Adaptability
Tarso Marques had other teammates during his career, such as Coulthard and Fisichella. How far ahead was Fernando Alonso compared to these drivers?
“I had great teammates in my career: David Coulthard, Giancarlo Fisichella, Jarno Trulli, Mark Webber; but Fernando was by far the best.”
“He had immense natural talent, and his determination was incredible—and it still is today; he’s extremely focused and professional.”
“The most impressive thing about Fernando was his ability to learn circuits very quickly, far faster than most others. Even on a new track, he was immediately fast, finding the limit within a few laps. Some drivers really struggle with that.”
Marques also highlights another strength of Fernando Alonso: his adaptability.
“He is so talented that he can work around the car’s issues. Even if the car isn’t good, he adapts his driving style and makes it fast regardless; that’s what makes him special. Similarly, if the weather changes during a race, he quickly adjusts and continues to be fast.”
And Fernando Alonso, of course, has an extraordinary race pace…
“No matter the conditions, the track, or the car, he always gets the most out of the equipment available and can sustain it for the entire race. Some drivers can push flat out for a lap or two—doing it over a full race isn’t easy—but he can drive at the limit for the whole race.”
“In 2001, it was hard to stand out because the car struggled—sometimes we finished 16th, but we knew it was a good result and that we’d extracted the maximum from the car—but I remember one race where Fernando had an incredible pace, at the Spanish Grand Prix. He finished 13th, and during the race, he was extremely fast, getting everything possible out of the car and driving consistently quickly.”
“Sometimes, when a driver comes from junior formulas, even if they’re fast, they struggle in F1, but with Fernando, it was the opposite. Everyone knew he was special back then.”
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From Backmarker: Marques Unveils Alonso’s True F1 Edge! From Backmarker: Marques Unveils Alonso’s True F1 Edge!. From Backmarker: Marques Unveils Alonso’s True F1 Edge!
