'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#1 Fernando Alonso
It couldn't have been anyone else in the top spot, could it?
Fernando Alonso is not only the best Formula 1 driver to come from Spain, but is also one of the fastest men to ever sit in an F1 cockpit. It may sound like an exaggeration, but the Spaniard's two world titles and 32 Grand Prix victories don't do the Oviedo native's talents justice.
Alonso seemed as though he would one day beat Michael Schumacher's incredible records after he won his second driver's championship in a row at the end of 2006. However, this wasn't to be, as poor team moves (in particular, his returns to Renault and McLaren in 2008 and 2015, respectively) and his tendency to create a disharmonious garage prevented him from adding to his two titles.
While the fantastic consistency which helped him to his world championships was extremely impressive. However, what makes him stand out as one of the greatest drivers of the 21st century for me, was his 2012 campaign.
Alonso stated ahead of the first race of that season, that his Ferrari couldn't win a race. His words appeared to be vindicated, as Fernando finished a lacklustre fifth in Australia, but took a stunning victory at the next round in Malaysia. He drove faultlessly all season, not dissimilarly to Lewis Hamilton in 2018, and only missed out on a third title by 3 points thanks to Sebastian Vettel driving a far superior Red Bull.
Coupled with falling 1 point short of the driver's title in 2007, and 4 points shy in 2010, and you can see why Alonso can be labelled as unlucky. In total, 'Nando was just 8 points off becoming a five-time world champion, as many as Hamilton and the great Juan Manuel Fangio.
But who do you think is the best Spanish F1 driver ever? Is it Alonso or does someone else stand out more for you? Let us know in the comments below!
