Early exit for F1 driver Alonso in Valencia

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

VALENCIA, Spain (AFP) — Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso of Renault disappointed the home fans on Sunday, withdrawing in the first lap of the European Grand Prix after Kazuki Nakajima's Williams clipped him on the third bend.

The Spaniard had just managed to place 12th on the grid and therefore had only an outside chance of getting among the points in Valencia but after braking hard Nakajima went into the back of him to end his race prematurely.

Alonso also had to abandon his challenge in the Spanish Grand Prix at Montmelo outside Barcelona on April 27.

"Two races in Spain this year and two withdrawals," said Alonso ruefully.

"Lady Luck shone on me the two years I was fighting for the title (2005 and 2006), but now I'm having a lot of ill...