Alonso joins fight against COVID-19 with big donation

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Fernando Alonso has joined the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by donating through UNICEF protective equipment and face masks that will be distributed to healthcare workers.

Second only to Italy in fatalities, Spain has been hard hit by the coronavirus crisis. But its total number of infections and death toll continue to rise despite the government implementing a near-total lockdown and restrictive measures to curb the spread of the virus.

Alonso has voiced his concern over the situation and criticized Spain's handling of the crisis.

But the two-time F1 world champion is doing his part to help his country fight its battle against the invisible enemy, donating 4,000 individual protective equipment and 300,000 face masks to Spain's healthcare system.

"I am totally ignorant of politics, thank God," Alonso said on social media.

"The measures that were taken do not seem right or wrong to me. I care about my family, my friends here, from Italy, from China …

"Now it's a fact - it's not my opinion - that other measures could have been taken. But there are many people who are doing much worse: England, which is now taking action, or the United States, which has already surpassed China.

"But I am neither one nor the other, I have no political ideologies."

Alonso has been collaborating with UNICEF since 2005.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.