To Our Readers
Spaniards leading a national surge in global business and politics, culture and the arts. As the country prepares for a pivotal election, TIME examines its striking creative burst
Posted Sunday, Feb. 29, 2004; 15.48GMT
Finishing the season in sixth place is not the recommended way to become an instant sports hero. But Fernando Alonso, 22, was nonetheless voted numero uno in a year-end survey of the top sportspeople by El País newspaper.
He’s the first Spaniard to win a Formula One Grand Prix, and the youngest driver ever to win a GP race. Neither Michael Schumacher nor Ayrton Senna had such success at the same age—and Alonso did it in a Renault with much less juice than Schumacher’s Ferrari. This year Alonso is driving a new Renault R24 with slightly more caballos, and sponsors can’t get enough of his paintwork.
His popularity also comes from being fast with his mouth. Before one Grand Prix a journalist asked him: “How do you think your tires will go today?” Alonso grinned: “They tell me two at the front, two at the back.”
Divide And Conquer [Mar. 1, 2004]
Basque terrorist group ETA throws a "message bomb" into the Spanish general-election campaign
Death Coast [Dec 2, 2002]
After an aging tanker sins off Spain, a vast slick of fuel oil destroys beaches, wildlife and fishermen's dreams. Could this disaster have been prevented?
They Came To Reign in Spain [Sep. 27, 2002]
You wait for a major sporting competition to come along, and three show up at the same time.
A Meeting Of Minds [Jul. 15, 2002]
European Union leaders meet in Seville to look for common ground on everything
Gaudí Mania [Apr. 26, 2002]
The work of controversial architect Antoni Gaudí is getting a fresh look as Spain marks the 150th anniversary of his birth
Bust In Madrid [Dec. 21, 2001]
A well-established al-Qaeda cell may have been directly involved in planning the U.S. terrorist attacks
Madrid: Living la Vida Loca [Nov. 12, 2001]
Madrileos like it late, loud and lively in their multitude of bars and restaurants
Mogadishu at 60 Miles an Hour Arms merchants are once again doing brisk business after a rapid change of power in this tough town, but so far the peace has held
The Year of The Nuke A rundown of the world's nuclear powerhouses, and what to expect in the coming months
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