MAY 11, 2003

Alonso wows Spanish fans in Madrid

An estimated 75,000 people turned out to watch Fernando Alonso drive five laps of a course laid out along Madrid's main Castellana Avenue on Sunday in his Renault F1 car. The demonstration was put on to give Formula 1 a boost in Spain, where Renault is trying to make a big impression. Alonso has really made an impact on the public imagination by his performances in recent weeks and is well on his way to national stardom.