F1's Alonso gets thumbs insured

Formula One driver Fernando Alonso has had his thumbs insured for almost $14 million, The Sun reported Tuesday.

The bizarre cover is part of a life and accident package arranged by one of Ferrari's sponsors, banking and insurance giant Santander.

A spokesperson for the company managed to keep a straight face while explaining: "Alonso's thumbs are a big symbol as, apart from being essential when driving a Formula One car, they represent a sign of victory and that everything is under control and well protected."

The comment raised smiles over the mental image of an F1 car being raced by a driver without those "essential" thumbs.

Alonso, meanwhile, is turning his attention to the next Grand Prix, his home race in Spain.

And he believes it will be "the moment of truth" in the fight for the 2010 world championship.
The Spaniard, who won the opening race in Bahrain and is rated a strong contender for glory in Barcelona, said: "The championship always starts with the first race -- but it's just a race to confirm the good sensations you had during testing."

Alonso, who endured two difficult seasons at Renault before joining Ferrari, said his start to the season had been "very positive."

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