Tag Archives: Formula One

Alonso Named Honorary Ambassador for “Brand Spain”

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Fernando Alonso is representing his native land in a big way…

The 31-year-old Spanish Formula One race car driver and a two-time World Champion has been named an honorary ambassador for “Brand Spain” by the Leading Brands of Spain Forum.

Fernando Alonso

The award is aimed at publicly recognizing people, businesses and institutions that have contributed greatly during their professional careers to strengthening the international image of the Iberian nation.

Alonso was selected in the Sports category for being one of the Spanish athletes enjoying “great success and international projection, admired and respected throughout the world.”

But Alonso isn’t the only Spanish luminary named an honorary ambassador…

Antonio Banderas was honored in the Culture and Communication category for being one of the country’s “best-known and admired” artists internationally, having built up an impressive resume of film projects in Hollywood.

Also selected for their work in strengthening Spain’s image abroad were businessman Isak Andic, the founder and main stockholder of the Mango fashion retailer group, economist Pedro Nueno, chef Jose Andres, cancer researcher Dr. Maria Blasco and the National Transplant Organization.

The judging panel headed by Antonio Abril, the general secretary of the Inditex textile group, included Carlos Espinosa de los Monteros, the Government High Commissioner for Brand Spain.

This is the first time that this recognition has been bestowed since the creation of the post of high commissioner. The high commissioner backed the initiative to develop the Leading Brands of Spain Forum, which includes more than 100 companies and several government ministers.

Other personalities who have been selected in the past to be honorary ambassadors include Rafael Nadal, Placido Domingo, Javier Solana and Pau Gasol.

Piquet: The First Brazilian to Win a NASCAR National Touring Series Race

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He may be fairly new to NASCAR, but Nelson Piquet Jr. is already making racing history…

The 26-year-old stock car racing driver—the son of three-time Formula One champion Nelson Piquet Sr., one of Brazil’s most successful F1 drivers—held the lead on a late restart, then pulled away from the rest of the field on Saturday to win the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Road America. In the process, Piquet became the first Brazilian to win a race in NASCAR’s national touring series.

Nelson Piquet Jr.

Piquet, a former Formula One driver, became a winner in only his third career Nationwide start after starting the race from pole position. Piquet’s extensive road racing experience seemed to pay off at the 4-mile, 14-turn road course that winds through the hills of central Wisconsin.

He’s now out to prove he belongs in NASCAR.

“I’m going to be here for a long time, hopefully,” said Piquet, who’s hoping Saturday’s win will catch the eye of a team owner willing to give his stock car racing career a boost.

“I think the best thing that could come out of this was to show team owners and bosses that I’m capable of doing it, if I just get the right car and the right team,” Piquet said.

Nelson Piquet Jr.

Michael McDowell, who finished second, just couldn’t chase down Piquet at the end.

“His car was fast,” said McDowell. “I don’t know if we would have had anything for him if we could have just stayed with him on that restart.”

Following the race, Piquet got a phone call from his famous father.

“He was laughing,” Piquet said. “I don’t know if he had a beer or not. But he was very, very excited.”