Formula 1 champ pit stops on Hamo

HAMILTON Island has been an attraction for many world famous sports people in the past and this trend continued last week when Fernando Alonso stopped in.

CATCHING UP WITH THE LOCALS: World champion Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso with a Koala from the Hamilton Island Wildlife Park last week. Photo by Andrea Francolini.

HAMILTON Island has been an attraction for many celebrities and world famous sports people in the past and this trend continued last week when world champion Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso stopped in.

After competing and finishing fourth in the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 25-27, the Ferrari driver took time to refuel at Hamilton Island.

Having topped 300kph at the Grand Prix, the two-time world champion enjoyed hitting a maximum speed of 20kph as he travelled around the island on a golf buggy.

Alonso said Hamilton Island proved to be the perfect spot for a holiday as he prepared for the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur starting on April 8.

“The peace and quiet of Hamilton Island was the perfect way for me to wind down before moving on to the next round of intense competition on the international circuit,” he said.

While Alonso was in the Whitsundays, he managed to fit in a round or two of golf at the Hamilton Island Golf Club while also taking time to relax and spend time with the Australian flora and fauna at the Hamilton Island Wildlife Park.

Originally published as Formula 1 champ pit stops on Hamo