Alonso embarks on💝 his first home race since 2018 this weekend at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

ꦯAlonso won the hearts of his nation when he became the first Spaniard to win an F1 grand prix in 2003,🌠 before becoming the first Spanish world champion in 2005.

He's won the Spanish Grand Prix on t📖wo previous occasions in 2006 an🤪d 2013.

Due to the ongoi💫ng COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions in place, a limited number of people are allowed into the circuit.

Looking ahꦫead to his first home grand prix in three years, Alonso sa🌃id: “It’s always a special feeling racing here, always brings a lot of good memories and a lot of support from the fans. Unfortunately, we don’t have them this weekend, we will only have a limited number that will be already welcome.

“We are used to racing with more than 100,000 people in the grandstands. Coming here to thi🌃s🌠 circuit, we all know very well after the winter testing, a lot of years in the calendar in Formula 1 and this year, it’s a little bit different. We did winter testing in Bahrain. 

“We don't know much about these cars here in Barcelona and we don’t have the fans. So for me it is a lit🔥tle bit sad but we﷽ will try and put a good show on TV.”

Fellow Spaniard Carlos Sainz believes his move 🦩to Ferrari and the return of Alonso would have made this year’s Spanish GP extra speci🐻al had fans been able to attend.

“Alwayꦰs excited and always a bit more motivated when you’re on home soil, your home grandꦇ prix,” Sainz added. “But I must say this year, a bit like last year, the vibe is different. 

“Not having the fans, not having the people there to support🌺 you and having those quick chats, quick moments or that they tell you something funny and you respond, and then everytime you go by a fan or somethin🥃g like that, it’s different.

“Also I think in particuꦰlar this year with the comeback of Fernando and me being part of Ferrari, I think this grand prix would have been exciting, full grandstands. We are going to miss them but hopefully they can support us from home and 🃏we can still execute a good weekend.”