Alonso signs up for Formula Palmer Audi

Spanish teenager joins 2009 FPA line-up

Jose Antonio Alonso has joined the 2009 FPA line-up and becomes the latest European driver to identify Formula Palmer Audi as the best route to further his career.

With the option of stepping up to the championship class of Spanish F3 following a successful season in the F3 cup class, Alonso decided to look for a new challenge and a route to Formula Two instead: "The FPA championship looks great for many reasons," said Alonso. "Of course, the low cost is very important. It is actually much cheaper for me to come to race in England than in Spain! It is a quality championship and I am looking forward to improving my English too!"

The 18-year-old finished sixth overall in the Spanish F3 Cup standings last season after stepping on the podium twice during the campaign. The series was won by female F2 star Natacha Gachnang and having also raced against the likes of German Sanchez and Nicole De Marco, Alonso is hoping to follow them all into Formula Two in the future: "Of course, I would like to win the championship and the prize that goes with it," he said.

The Spaniard ran well in mixed condition whilst testing at Bedford Autodrome this week and he was clearly delighted with his days work: "I thought the test went very well because I was able to run quickly in both the dry and wet conditions," he concluded. "I completed many laps so I was very happy and now I just want the season to start."