Asking Hard Questions: Motorsports Reporting with Fernando Alonso | FanAmp Fast Lane

Fernando's start in motorsports

#1. What was the first moment you discovered motorsports?

The first thing that got me into motorsports was when my father worked in a factory. They gave the suppliers some sort of gifts and one of the gifts were tickets to a race. So my father ended up going, mainly as a way to be thankful for the tickets, and I remember him bringing me to some of the races. I remember the smell, the smell of the tires and the oil and the fuel. And I just remember thinking that I need to be around cars, the way that they made me feel just instantly kicked something in me.

#2. When did you decide that this is where you wanted to build your career?

It wasn’t until college, where I studied graphic design, when I met a friend who was like, “Do you know this guy? He has the same name as you!” And then I was looking him up and found out who Fernando Alonso was and found him on the internet and learned that he was driving in Formula 1. As soon as I saw this connection to Formula 1, I knew I wanted to focus on this sport but it took a lot of time for me to become more involved and realize that being a fan was not enough for me. 

I worked briefly, for a period of time, as a graphic designer. I did a lot of printed work, but my craft was more in the process of things and so I tried to do more things in the operative way than in the design process.

I realized that there were a lot of things I was understanding about the racing world that wasn’t getting talked about in the media I was consuming. So that was the moment for me when I realized I wanted to relay everything I knew or was learning, at that time, to people because it was getting missed in the media. 

#3. What was the first step you took to launch your career in racing?

I remember I met this guy who worked for a website and he said to me, “If you are interested, we need someone to help us to do an article to do the previews for the F1 races. If you want it, there's a spot for you.”

And here we are now.

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Fernando's current role

#4. What’s your current role and what does a standard day look like?

Right now, I'm working with IndyCar al Día. It's a website created by a Brazilian guy. And it's run by a Mexican editor who is my boss, named Eduardo Olmos who has spent a lot of time covering IndyCar.

Motor racing is very hard. Even the people who work in the industry every day find it challenging. I’m just one lucky guy, who has found a really good spot in motorsport, but my job is different every day. People do need to understand that trying to get into this industry isn’t a straight path, there isn’t just one way to get into the sport and it’s not as simple as it may seem. 

Normal things that I do on a day where I’m attending a race is reading and listening to people. There are journalists who have amazing abilities in their field, but they don’t always tell the stories correctly. As soon as you get to the event, you need to flow and have stories and questions prepared in your head. You have to be looking for any opportunities, whether you’re scheduling them, or just trying to get that in a spur of the moment. But you have to be aware of your surroundings, you can’t just go into it blind. You have to think of yourself as a person who really wants to be there, like a fan, you can’t take any of the opportunities for granted.

#5. What are the most rewarding and the most challenging aspects of the job for you?

Rewarding

The most rewarding part for me has been working closely with people who I've always thought were above me or out of my league and having them see me as an equal. It doesn't always happen, and I think it’s something that you have to earn everyday. Even recording this right now, I feel like a fraud, and feel like I have to do more to make sure that I continue to earn my spot in this industry.

Challenging

One of the most challenging times was when I was working and I got a voice memo from my boss saying that they didn't think I was the right fit for this job. I think I was maybe asking too many questions. But then people found out about my name, and thought it was funny how it’s like Fernando Alonso the Formula 1 driver, and then all of a sudden they were seeing it as a marketing opportunity, as a way to get a reaction from the drivers.

But I continued to work and put the media out internationally, and I became the hardest working person and journalist a part of the website.

What I’m trying to say is that a lot of things can happen each day when you’re working, and maybe people don’t see you for who you are or what values you have yet, but you can’t let that stop you from showing how hard you can work and what you can bring to a situation.

#6. What are the top 3 qualities that enable you to succeed in your role?

Knowing my abilities

Firstly, it's about knowing your abilities. If you don’t know what you’re capable of, then you’ll miss out on opportunities to exploit them. 

Connecting with people

I definitely have the ability to connect with people. Maybe not all people, but some people. 

Luck

I think I’ve also been pretty lucky, and again, you have to embrace that luck and make sure you capitalize on it. You have to be proactive and make sure you’re taking every opportunity that comes up. If you don’t believe in luck, then how are you going to create the perfect timing for things to happen? You have to take advantage of anything that comes up.

Bonus: Hard work

Making sure that you are working hard and making use of all of your abilities. Don’t compare yourself to other people because everyone works at different paces and people are meant to deliver different things.

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Fernando's advice

#7. What would you say to your younger self if you could go back and give any advice?

Start younger. 

I would also say that you have to enjoy your moment. Every single moment, you have to make sure you enjoy it and make it work.

#8. If you could give one piece of advice to someone looking to follow in your footsteps what would that be?

I would say not to follow any steps from anyone. Learn from them, but see what you can do on your own and make your own path in the industry.

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Fernando's career highlights and favorite moments

#9. What has been your favorite moment from all of the time you’ve spent covering motorsports?

I have a lot of good moments. 

Greg: How about a favorite race that you’ve covered?

The Indianapolis 500 back in 2024. This is because something happened, where I realized I had to ask two different [questions: one that no one knew how to phrase, and another that was highly emotional and I delivered it in a way that didn't lead to tears]. And I realized from the comments of other journalists that I did the job I had to. I felt like I was worthy to be there.

#10. What's a race that you haven’t covered that you would love to do?

I would love to do the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s such a historic and traditional race and I think that you have to respect those traditions and understand why people love it and why it’s still such a big part of motorsport history.

Le Mans is one of these things I need to touch, I need to smell, I need to hear, I need to be around in order to understand. Because I don't understand it and I want to learn.

Want to learn more about other professionals across motorsport series? Then check out all of our Fast Lane interviews, or jump right into one of these:

• Motorsports journalism with Víctor 'McCoy' Galván
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