Fernando Alonso’s racing ambitions are well known and, by all accounts, he will be a busy man this year, the two times F1 World Champion is already competing in the WEC with Gazoo Racing and at the end of this month will line-up for the Daytona 24 Hours.
Clearly quitting F1 at the end of last season will not slow down the 37-year-old, who now appears set to test an off-road Toyota with a view to doing the iconic Dakar rally at some point.
Dakar legend Nasser Al-Attiyah, driving for Toyota Gazoo Racing at this edition of the race in South America, confirmed Alonso’s interest, “He sent me a message from Daytona to wish me luck, I have known him for a long time, we have a good relationship and I know he is willing to try the car, he will try to visit me in my country and after the rally in Qatar we will do a test.”
“Fernando is a great driver, he has made a great race in Formula 1, he has been a great driver and I think he has to test in cross country, he would be very good for motorsport, he wants to do it, he would like very much and that is very positive for all.”
Earlier Alonso had sent the following message to two-time Dakar winner Attiyah, “Nasser, friend, I wish you good luck in the Dakar, I will follow you during the stages, in Morocco or in Qatar…”
“I am looking forward to testing the car, it will be an honour if you can show me the techniques in the dunes, Carlos is also helping me, maybe one day we can run together, good luck,” added Alonso.