'Fer' Alonso shares emotional news: 'It's over'

Sportswise, Fernando Alonso is currently doing well. The Aston Martin driver captured his third podium finish in a row in Melbourne. On a personal level, things are less so. Indeed, Alonso and his partner Andrea Schlager are splitting up.

In an emotional message on Instagram Story, Alonso wrote: "We wanted to tell you that our relationship as a couple ended. We have been lucky enough to share a fantastic time together, and it will continue to be so, but on a different form of affection. As you have probably seen, we have continued working on and off track on various projects together also during this time, and we will keep doing so with deep love and respect for each other. We thought it is appropriate to share this as you have all been very supportive. Thanks for that. Love Fer & Andrea.”

Rumours about the relationship between Alonso and the Austrian sports commentator emerged early last year. In April, they announced they were a couple. Just last month, she posted a message on social media how proud she was of Alonso. The Spanish driver was previously married, to the singer of Spanish pop group El Sueño de Morfeo. The marriage to Raquel del Rosario ended in 2011.

Incidentally, not much was known about the relationship between Alonso and Schlager. The couple tried to stay out of the spotlight as much as possible.