Fernando Alonso
Two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso is the youngest double champion in Formula One history and at the time of his first title in 2005 was also the youngest driver ever to win a World Championship (this record was subsequently broken by Lewis Hamilton).
The Spaniard’s F1 career started with Minardi in 2001 and was signed by Renault to be their test driver in 2002. Renault were sufficiently impressed to promote Alonso in 2003 and enjoyed 4 fruitful years with the team, winning two world championships and winning 15 races in the process. A move to McLaren followed in 2007 where he was in direct competition with Lewis Hamilton – a well publicised spat between Alonso and the team ensued though he still managed to finish the 2007 season in 3rd place with 109 points.
Alonso went back to Renault in 2008, though finishes of 5th in 2008 and 9th in 2009 prompted a move to Ferrari for the 2010 season.