More than fifteen years after that tense 2007 season, new stories continue to emerge that reveal the character and humanity of Fernando Alonso during his time at McLaren. His former race engineer, Mark Slade, recently shared an anecdote that portrays the Spaniard as a grateful driver toward his team — even though his gesture didn’t sit well with McLaren’s management.

In an interview with journalist Peter Windsor, Slade revealed that Alonso wanted to show his appreciation to his mechanics with an unexpected monetary gesture. “At Nürburgring, Fernando asked me for a list with the names of everyone who worked on his car. He didn’t say why, just that he needed it before the weekend,” the engineer explained.

A few hours later, the driver appeared in the garage with envelopes in hand. “He gathered us all together and handed them out one by one, saying he wanted to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication. Inside each envelope was a thousand euros in cash. It was a very noble gesture,” recalled Slade.

A Gesture That McLaren’s Management Didn’t Like

What began as a simple act of gratitude soon turned into a source of conflict. According to Slade, shortly after the envelopes were distributed, then sporting director Dave Ryan stormed into the garage in anger. “He came in furious and told us we had to return all the money. He said it was unacceptable and that anyone who refused would be fired. They said that kind of thing couldn’t be allowed in the team,” the engineer recounted.

In the end, all the mechanics were forced to return the envelopes, despite their discomfort. The story leaked to the press and, according to Slade, was misrepresented as an attempt by Alonso to “buy his mechanics’ loyalty.” However, the engineer firmly denied this. “It was a sincere gesture, something common in other teams. Drivers like Nigel Mansell or Carlos Reutemann used to do the same to show appreciation. Fernando just wanted to thank his people,” he explained.

A Brilliant Yet Misunderstood Driver

Beyond the controversy, Slade made it clear that working with Fernando Alonso was a unique experience. “He was a brilliant guy, determined, with a drive I’ve rarely seen. He gave everything, and that sometimes got him into tough situations, but never out of bad intentions,” he said.

The engineer even recalled an emotional reunion with the Spaniard after his return to Renault: “He hugged me and thanked me for everything we’d been through. People don’t always see that human side, but Fernando is a genuinely good person.”

The “Nürburgring envelope” incident reflects not only the tension of that season at McLaren, but also the personality of a driver who, even in his most difficult moments, never forgot the people working by his side.