Alfonso de Orleans (Racing Engineering GP2)
Alfonso de Orleans is not just your average, championship-winning GP2 race team owner. Educated in the US and England, fluent in English, Spanish and Russian and a nephew of the King of Spain, Alfonso resides in the family castle, complete with PGA golf courses and vineyards (suitably engineered to the 21st century via solar panels and internal water systems) near Jerez de la Frontera, a region in south-western Spain known not only for its sherry production but also for its F1-spec circuit. From here he also runs the efficient, tightly-knit GP2 team he calls Racing Engineering, living the racer’s life, 24/7. As he said when we met recently for SpeedTV.com, “My family connections allow me to open some doors but I still get the same ‘No’ answers as everyone else!”. Racing Engineering has also provided a stepping-stone for some very talented racers over the past few years, including double World Champion, Sebastian Vettel, and the current Lotus F1 Team Principal, Eric Boullier. “Ah,” he says, staring intently. “But there is one driver out there who impressed me just as much as Vettel. It’s very sad that he’s not in F1.” Who is this driver? Press play….
peterwindsor.com 
Family castle near Jerez? Very cool! It’s a picturesque region as well; not to mention two wonderful circuits in the area: the Monteblanco and the afore-mentioned Jerez. Internet speed is suffering a bit though…
Funny but a lot of Spaniards speak Russian, dunno whether AdO also got some ancestors from the former Russian Empire?
Informative interview.
I thought Wilson was OK in F1, maybe he should’ve stayed with Minardi for the whole season to build up a proper reputation, gain that cult status which worked for Webber for example. Jaguar was a tough place to be in those days for a driver. Since AdO mentioned Irvine, Eddie was the only guy to ever stand on the podium for Jaguar in F1 – an irishman’s luck? But I can’t really speculate on the matter since I was doing some mighty sofa expertise back in those days and sofa is not good if you want to learn more about motor racing.
Alfonso is the real deal. He is a pure racer at heart and a great team owner – total dedication.
But more importantly, he is a great father, son and friend.
I grew up with Alfonso in Houston. It’s nice to see a nutty hyperactive kid turn out to be so successful. Bravo Alfonso!
Yes – I’m in awe of Alfonso’s ability not to be seduced by the so-called glamour of F1. He’s a racer in the truest sense.