By DCB Editorial, October 3, 2024
Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso has confirmed that his immediate focus is on securing a third world title with Aston Martin. Despite his previous attempts at the Indy 500, Alonso has ruled out a return to the event, stating that his commitment to F1 and the substantial learning curve involved would be too demanding.
Instead, the Spaniard has expressed a strong desire to compete in the Dakar Rally once again. Having previously participated in the event during his F1 sabbatical, Alonso believes that winning the Dakar would be a significant accomplishment, showcasing his versatility as a driver across various racing disciplines.
Alonso’s decision to prioritize the Dakar Rally aligns with his ambition to conquer a wide range of racing challenges, having already achieved success in Formula 1, endurance racing, and the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Alonso spoke to the media at a recent sponsorship event:
“I’m very, very focused [on] Formula 1 now. For the next two or three years, I want to win the third world title. This is my first and only priority at the moment.”
“After that, because I will be 45, 46, I think the commitment that it will require to go to the Indy 500, the amount of learning that I will have to redo again… it will be a little bit too much. Or it’s what I think now, I cannot say 100%.”
“I think my next biggest challenge will be the Dakar. If I can win Dakar, I think it will be hugely rewarding for me personally because I can win in Formula 1, I can win in endurance racing, win in Le Mans and Daytona, and if I can win in rally as well, it will mean a lot for me as a driver.”
“You cannot drive a Formula 1 car the same way as a Le Mans car that has to do 24 hours to win the race, or the Dakar rally, where you have to go through the dunes and the gravel around Saudi. So, I had to learn and start from zero in many of those categories…”
“There is no problem to accept that I had no idea how to drive a rally car, but [was] day-by-day improving and learning from them until I was able to compete in the toughest rally in the world.”
