Alfonso de Orléans-Borbón, Duke of Galliera
| Don Alfonso | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arms of the Duke of Galliera | |||||
| Duke of Galliera | |||||
| Tenure | 22 August 1997 – present | ||||
| Predecessor | Infante Álvaro | ||||
| Born | 5 January 1968 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain | ||||
| Spouse |
Véronique Goeders
(m. 1994; div. 2001) | ||||
| Issue | Don Alonso de Orleans-Borbón y Goeders | ||||
| |||||
| House | Orléans-Galliera | ||||
| Father | Don Alonso de Orleans-Borbón y Parodi-Delfino | ||||
| Mother | Donna Emilia Ferrara-Pignatelli | ||||
Alfonso de Orléans-Borbón y Ferrara-Pignatelli, 7th Duke of Galliera (born 2 January 1968 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain), is a Spanish aristocrat, the founder and president of the European motorsport team Racing Engineering and a professional racing driver.
Alfonso is the elder son of Don Alonso de Orléans-Borbón y Parodi-Delfino and Donna Emilia Ferrara-Pignatelli. He inherited the title Duke of Galliera in 1997 following the death of his grandfather, Infante Álvaro.
His passion for aviation traces its origins to his great-grandfather, Infante Alfonso, a pioneering figure and one of the most distinguished early aviators in the Spanish armed forces.
Professional Racing Career
A passionate car enthusiast and driver, he returned to racing in the early 1990s. In 1994, he made his debut at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing 4th in the GT2 class - a remarkable achievement for a newcomer. Over the subsequent years he competed internationally in endurance racing with manufacturers including Ferrari and Porsche.
Founding of Racing Engineering & Motorsport Leadership
In 1999, Alfonso de Orléans-Borbón founded Racing Engineering, establishing the organisation as a serious contender in European motorsport. Under his leadership, the team quickly earned an enviable track record: six consecutive Spanish Formula 3 team titles (2001–2006), a championship in the World Series by Nissan (2002), and later strong performances in GP2 (now FIA Formula 2), the main feeder series to Formula 1. Over the years, Racing Engineering has helped to develop drivers who progressed to Formula 1 and other top-tier international racing categories.
Nobility, Heritage & Global Standing
As the Duke of Galliera and a member of the historic House of Orléans-Borbón, Alfonso carries a legacy of European aristocracy and heritage. This background provides him with broad social and diplomatic connections, offering a unique combination of heritage prestige and modern motorsport leadership - a rare profile in international racing.
His upbringing and education (in Spain, Switzerland and the US) combined with multilingual fluency and global exposure allow him to operate seamlessly across European and international business and sporting contexts.