Spanish driver Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), a two-time F1 world champion who finished in 14th place with severe back pain, stated this Sunday at the rainy and accident-filled Sao Paulo Grand Prix (Brazil), held at the Interlagos circuit, that despite knowing he had no chance of scoring points, he continued to the finish line for his "mechanics, who did a great job," and "above all, for the people of Valencia," referring to the victims and those affected by the devastating floods in that Spanish region, which have already claimed more than 215 lives. 

"Under normal conditions, I wouldn’t have finished the race, but I had to do it for the mechanics, for myself too, since I struggled a bit before getting here; and, above all, for the people of Valencia: for so many people who were in far worse situations than the bouncing I felt today," said the Asturian driver, referring to all the victims and those impacted by the DANA, while returning to the circuit where he celebrated his two titles (2005 and 2006).

"I'm going to finish the race for the mechanics, who did an incredible job today, but my back really hurts, guys. This bouncing is not normal," Alonso had previously warned over the radio to his team. Alonso, 43, also mentioned in the TV pit area after the 21st race of the year that he was thinking of all the people in his country who are going through truly tragic times due to the devastating effects of the DANA.

"We had a lot of issues with the brakes, especially at each restart, when all the brakes shifted to the rear; it was like pulling the handbrake in the corners," explained the two-time world champion from Asturias, who has 32 victories and a total of 106 podiums in the top category. 

"So you could say it wasn’t an ideal race in that sense," Alonso added after the 21st of the 24 races that make up the longest season in World Championship history. "We have to improve for the next race," he affirmed.