阿隆索大拇指获千万欧元保险

Double world champion Fernando Alonso gave a 10 million euro ($13.33 million) thumbs-up to future Formula One success with Ferrari Monday.

Team sponsors Santander said they had insured the Spaniard's thumbs for five million each as part of a publicity campaign for accident and life insurance ahead of next week's Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.

"Alonso's thumbs are a symbol, as well as being essential for driving a Formula One car, in that they make a sign of victory and show that everything is under control and well protected," the bank said in a statement.

Alonso, who joined Ferrari this season after winning championships with Renault, told a news conference in Madrid that he hoped the first European race of the season would reinforce his title challenge.

The Spaniard, winner of the Bahrain season-opener, is third overall after four races.

"The time has come to show who is up for winning the championship and who is not. Now in Europe the moment of truth has arrived for drivers and teams who are going to show who is able to develop quickest," said Alonso.

"A nice fight is starting," he added.

Alonso said he was not worried about his Ferrari engine after suffering a failure in Friday practice at the last race in China.

"I'm sure we will have a great car in Barcelona and I am not worried," he added. "The Ferrari mechanics are very confident that they have resolved the problems and I hope the fans have a fantastic time and there is a great atmosphere as ever."

两届世界一级方程式赛车（F1）冠军、法拉利车手费尔南多．阿隆索于本周一（在参加赞助商的活动时）对法拉利车队未来的表现十分有信心，并高高竖起了他的大拇指，而他的这一竖价值达千万欧元（1333万美元）。

法拉利车队赞助商桑坦德集团称，他们为这位西班牙车手的两只大拇指各提供了一份500万欧元的保险，这也是该集团在将于下周在巴塞罗那举行的西班牙大奖赛之前对意外伤害和人身险推广活动的一部分。

这家银行在一份声明中说：“阿隆索的拇指是一个重要的标志，除驾驶F1赛车外，它还是胜利的标志，表明一切尽在掌控之中，各方面保护完好。”

阿隆索曾代表雷诺车队获得F1大奖赛冠军，并于本赛季转会法拉利车队。他在马德里的一个新闻发布会上表示，希望本赛季在欧洲的首站比赛能增强他的夺冠优势。

这位西班牙车手是巴林站揭幕赛的冠军，四站比赛过后，他在积分榜上暂列第三。

阿隆索说：“现在到了一决胜负的时刻。回到了欧洲赛场，就到了各车手和车队展现自己实力的关键时刻。”

他说：“一场大战即将上演。”

阿隆索表示自己并不担心法拉利赛车的引擎问题。在上周五（4月16日）F1中国站的自由练习赛中，阿隆索的车出现了故障。

他说：“我确信在巴塞罗那站的比赛中赛车一定会很棒，我一点儿也不担心。法拉利的机械师们很有信心，他们已经排除了故障。我希望车迷们能看到一场精彩的比赛，气氛一定会像以往一样火爆。”

Vocabulary:

thumbs-up：an act, instance, or gesture of assent, approval, or the like（翘拇指，表示赞成或满意）

Spaniard：a native or inhabitant of Spain（西班牙人）

season-opener：赛季揭幕战

the moment of truth：关键时刻