09/12/2006
NEWS STORY
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The FIA officially crowned its 2006 World Champions at a gala ceremony in Monaco last night.
The Gala event, attended by the major figures in world motor sport, saw the presentation of the second consecutive FIA Formula One World Championship drivers' trophy to 25-year-old Fernando Alonso.
"This is my last official event with Renault," said the Spaniard, "and after a fantastic relationship now is the perfect point to finish, being World Champion again in both constructors' and drivers' championships. I feel very happy with my career with Renault and now I start a new challenge."
Alonso was joined on stage by Renault team boss Flavio Briatore, who received the trophy for winning the constructors' championship.
"This is the best," said the Italian. "I am pleased for Renault, I'm pleased for the team and especially for the sport because it was good to see a very intense fight with Ferrari. It was a great season."
Trophies were also presented to the winners of the World Rally Championship (WRC), World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) and all the other FIA championships from karting to truck racing. As with Alonso, both the WRC and WTCC winning drivers were collecting their trophies for a second consecutive year.