Alonso progressed to car racing at the age of 17.
Retired driver Adrián Campos and Niki Lauda's former chief mechanic Ermanno Cuoghi observed Alonso at the Marlboro Masters kart race in the Palau Sant Jordi.
Campos contacted Alonso about driving Marc Gené's Campos Motorsport car and the latter tested the vehicle at the Circuito de Albacete in October 1998.
He accepted Campos' offer of a three-year contract and replaced Gené for the 1999 Euro Open by Nissan.
Alonso won the championship at the final race of the season from Manuel Gião with six victories and nine pole positions.

For the 2000 season, he moved to the higher-tier International Formula 3000 Championship with the Minardi-backed Team Astromega.
Driver Robert Lechner lacked the sponsorship money to drive for Astromega and Benetton's operations director Joan Villadelprat advised its manager Sam Boyle to enquire Campos about Alonso.
Astromega signed Alonso after a two-day test session at the Circuit de Catalunya.
Alonso improved his English to better communicate with mechanics and Rob Smedley was his race engineer.
His Lola had an understeer that was removed with a set-up alteration to include additional oversteer and increase Alonso's comfort.
Astromega allowed Campos to attend the team's technical meetings since Alonso wanted his feedback.
He was second at the Hungaroring and won the season-ending Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps race for fourth outright with 17 points.
Alonso progressed to car racing at the age of 17. Retired driver Adrián Campos and Niki Lauda's former chief mechanic Ermanno Cuoghi observed Alonso at the Marlboro Masters kart race in the Palau Sant Jordi. Campos contacted Alonso about driving Marc Gené's Campos Motorsport car and the latter tested the vehicle at the Circuito de Albacete in October 1998. He accepted Campos' offer of a three-year contract and replaced Gené for the 1999 Euro Open by Nissan. Alonso won the championship at the final race of the season from Manuel Gião with six victories and nine pole positions.
For the 2000 season, he moved to the higher-tier International Formula 3000 Championship with the Minardi-backed Team Astromega. Driver Robert Lechner lacked the sponsorship money to drive for Astromega and Benetton's operations director Joan Villadelprat advised its manager Sam Boyle to enquire Campos about Alonso. Astromega signed Alonso after a two-day test session at the Circuit de Catalunya. Alonso improved his English to better communicate with mechanics and Rob Smedley was his race engineer. His Lola had an understeer that was removed with a set-up alteration to include additional oversteer and increase Alonso's comfort. Astromega allowed Campos to attend the team's technical meetings since Alonso wanted his feedback. He was second at the Hungaroring and won the season-ending Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps race for fourth outright with 17 points.
Motor racing career of Fernando Alonso