Alonso insures thumbs for £9million
Mind the hammer Fernando. Ferrari’s Spanish race ace Fernando Alonso has penned a deal to insure his prime digits for £9million.
The former world champion took the precautionary measure of getting his thumbs insured after deciding that they are pivotal to driving Formula One cars. Changing gear and steering would prove impossible without your king finger, as would be holding a mug of tea and everybody knows the Spanish racer loves a brew. So Alonso was quick to cover himself in case of a nasty lawn mower accident.
It seems bizarre but not unusual in the modern era. David Beckham has insured his legs for £70million, back in the day Merv Hughes insured his moustache for £200,000, while Nigel Benn’s fists were worth £10million. It’s not exclusive to the sports star world either, singer Tom Jones has got in on the crazy insurance act, his chest hair is reportedly covered for £3.5millon and Dolly Parton’s prize assets are worth £600,000, for the pair that is.
How much of this is a publicity stunt it’s hard to say. For £9million Alonso must be tempted to catch his thumb in the car door.
It seems like a wise investment by Ferrari anyhow, the driver has enjoyed a slightly better than lukewarm start to the season. He took the top podium place in Bahrain; however he’s followed this up with mediocre fourth places at Australia and China, sandwiched between a disastrous 13th in Malaysia.
There is a long way for the two-time champion to go yet, with Ferrari looking just a touch slower than McLaren and Red Bull so far. It’s early days though and he could well be back in championship contention before the end of the season.
You never know what to expect from the Spaniard, he has had moments of genius punctuated by moments of controversy. There is no doubting his calibre but since his last championship win in 2006 he seemed to have lost some of that hunger.
However looking down at your hands and knowing a fraction of them are worth £9million would be a bit of an ego boost. Shame they didn’t take out that policy on Felipe Massa’s head last year, they could have cleaned up.
In the meantime Alonso better steer clear of thumb wars, climbing chain-link fences and chopping up cucumbers.
Next time he wins a race watch how carefully he gives fans the thumbs up in celebration.
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