Millions watch Alonso’s feat

According to television surveys, 10.4 million people, equating to a 74.3 percent share of viewers, were watching when Alonso crossed the line at Interlagos to become the youngest driver to clinch the world title. Overall, 13 million viewers watched the race.

The 24-year-old from Asturias has single-handedly transformed Formula One from a sport of peripheral interest in Spain to one of the most popular in the country.

As the Spaniard closed in on the driver’s title, motor racing pushed football off the front pages of the sports newspapers and television audiences soared to record levels.

Spanish fans will have to wait until the end of next month, however, before being able to congratulate Alonso in the flesh when he visits his home city of Oviedo to collect Spain’s top international sporting award, the Principe de Asturias prize.