The Alonso Grand Prix

The crowds turned out en masse to greet Fernando Alonso at the Cheste circuit in Valencia on Sunday. He said farewell to the season in the company of his two families. The Spanish fans were behind him as always. They were joined by the whole of Ferrari: the team, the Chairman Montezemolo, the Maranello client race department, proud owners and Ferrari faithful, and even official Cavallino dealers from around the world.
"I am going to celebrate our best year with the tifosi. I can't wait to see the whole Ferrari family and the fans," the Spanish driver exclaimed, who for the first time gave his version of the now famous flags in the Brazil race that caused such a stir last week.
The only one missing will be team boss, Stefano Domenicali, who has officially been allowed home to enjoy a well-deserved rest.
The runner-up in the world championship will climb into a F2012 for the last time, the car which he drove in a season that proved nightmarish at the beginning and ended in somewhat listless fashion without any major improvements, struggling to keep on the pace.
This is the third race car Alonso has driven at Ferrari and the second in which he came close to savouring the sweet taste of glory, following on from the F10 in 2010. Fernando will put on a show alongside his teammate Felipe Massa on the home straight of the Valencia circuit, and will burn some rubber for the last time in the number 5 car, as he will be sporting a number 3 next season.