When you’re a world-class athlete, you want to protect your livelihood.  There have been other people to get insurance policies against weird injuries, most of them as publicity stunts.  However, double world champion driver Fernando Alonso’s insurance policy is pretty unusual.   Santander, the sponsors of Alonso’s Formula OneFerrari, have insured his thumbs for 5 million Euros each, or about $13.33 million dollars for both thumbs.

The bank issued a statement, saying, “Alonso’s thumbs are a symbol, as well as being essential for driving a Formula One car, in that they make a sign of victory and show that everything is under control and well protected.”  I guess that’s why his thumbs have been so well-protected by that protective insurance policy!  Alonso’s next race is in Barcelona, at the Spanish Grand Prix.  He is currently third in the F1 standings after four races, having won the season opener in Bahrain.  

I believe, and I could be wrong, but race-car drivers these days use their fingers to shift gears, rather than some kind of stick shift.  Either way, thumbs are very important.  They’re what separates us from other tool-using animals.

Tags: Ferrari, Formula One, Fernando Alonso, double-world champion, driver insures thumbs for 10 million Euros, driver insures thumbs for million dollars, Santander

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