Grapevine: Alonso Thrills Fans on the Streets of Madrid

Fernando Alonso thrilled about 75,000 cheering fans by hurling his car along the main street of Madrid at speeds of over 200 kilometres per hour today.

The 21-year-old Renault driver, who had a second-place finish at last weekend's Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, completed five scorching laps of a course along Madrid's La Castellana avenue.

The street, normally choked with slow-moving traffic, was lined by cheering fans, many chanting the name of the young driver who has shot to fame in his home country.

"I have given a little push to Formula One here in Spain," the man the Spanish media have dubbed 'Super Alonso' told a news conference before his exhibition drive.

Alonso's performance last week made him the first Spaniard to score points in his home grand prix and matched the country's best result, obtained by Alfonso de Portago at Silverstone in 1956.

"The truth is that I still do not think we (Renault) are ready to fight for victories," he said. "I am focusing on trying to take points, the more the better, and if I can finish on the podium, better still."