From F1 to Dakar: Fernando Alonso tries off-road racing
Is Dakar next? Fernando Alonso tests a Toyota Hilux built to compete in Dakar Rally
Is there any motorsport Fernando Alonso can’t do? From winning the Formula 1 world driver’s championship twice to clinching victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans last year, the Spaniard seems to be unstoppable in motorsports as of late. Now, it seems like he’s heading off the asphalt track and trying his hand on some off-road, Dakar-style rallying.
Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa recently organized an evaluation test for Alonso behind the wheel of the 2019 Dakar-winning Toyota Hilux in the Kalahari desert. During the two-day testing period, the Spaniard got to experience the difference between driving on asphalt and off-road. In order to guide Alonso on his first rally raid experience, former Dakar Rally winner Giniel de Villiers was brought in as his mentor throughout the test.
“I followed the Dakar and thanks to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing I had the opportunity to come here to South Africa to test the Dakar-winning Hilux. I have tested different series and different cars these past couple of years and this was a great chance. It has been fun; certainly different to what I am used to driving, but very interesting,” said Alonso.
Given that Toyota won the last Dakar Rally last year, it is possible that Alonso might be running in the next one. However, Alonso’s current goal is still to complete the coveted Triple Crown of Motorsports. He has already won at Le Mans and the Monaco Grand Prix numerous times; all that’s left is the Indianapolis 500. So far, he has shown great performance this 2019 by winning the 24 Hours of Daytona last January. All that’s left is for Alonso to win the Indy 500 this May, and he will be joining Graham Hill as the only other driver to complete the Triple Crown.
Even if Alonso’s main goal is to complete the Triple Crown, it would be no surprise if the Spaniard does end up piloting a Hilux to compete at the next Dakar Rally. Doing so would further cement his status of being one of the most multi-disciplined race drivers that are currently active in racing.
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