Spanish media not too long ago reported that Fernando Alonso would return to the Dakar Rally, however the Aston Martin driver denied the rumours whereas dropping a touch for a future profession transfer.
Spanish media outlet Soy Motor reported that Fernando Alonso would tackle the Dakar Rally in 2027, 7 years after his final look. Nevertheless, within the Formulation 1 press convention forward of the Singapore GP, the 45-year-old denied the experiences, claiming it could be ‘almost unattainable’.
“I learn these rumours, however no,” Alonso mentioned to media.
The Dakar Rally takes place in Saudi Arabia in January, and the demanding endurance race spans over the course of 15 days. Though it’s set about two months earlier than the 2027 F1 season kicks off, Alonso urged that making ready for each may very well be too bodily demanding.
“I don’t assume it’s doable bodily. It’s almost unattainable to suit two demanding programmes like a Formulation 1 championship and Dakar.”
Sufficient preparation and danger
F1 drivers should not new to racing in different classes throughout breaks within the F1 calendar. 4-time World Champion Max Verstappen has famously taken on the problem of GT3 racing, and he additionally owns a GT3 staff. Nevertheless, Alonso is just not trying to comply with the Dutchman’s path.
“Not GT3,” he mentioned when requested whether or not GT3 may very well be an possibility for the long run. “I by no means tried. I imply, it wants a really massive preparation.
“These challenges, I feel as a result of they have been good, or kind of aggressive up to now, individuals assume that they’re straightforward. It requires a whole lot of preparation, a whole lot of dedication, a whole lot of luck to succeed.
“So after I do the subsequent problem, I’ll announce it, it won’t be a hearsay, it will likely be myself doing it, and it will likely be as a result of I feel there may be sufficient preparation and sufficient of a danger to take.”
Whereas he has but to announce his subsequent transfer, the Spaniard is assured he’ll accomplish that when he feels prepared.
‘Race drivers ought to race’
Moreover, Aston Martin Chief Trackside Officer Mike Krack was requested about experiences of Alonso taking on rally alongside F1.
“Yeah, I learn this,” Krack started. “We had Robert [Kubica] doing rally, we had Kimi [Raikkonen] doing rally, we had Max [Verstappen] doing GT3, we had Lance [Stroll] doing GT3.
“I personally like that. It’s good for motorsport on the whole if the drivers do this.
“What occurs, I can not actually say in Fernando’s case for subsequent yr. However typically, it’s a superb factor, and it additionally exhibits what racing method or what racers they’re that with the calendar we have now, they need to do different issues.”
Regardless of not revealing Alonso’s future plans exterior F1, Krack continued to encourage drivers to tackle new challenges. With Verstappen becoming in GT3 racing each time there’s a break within the F1 calendar, and now-retired drivers racing in different classes alongside F1, Krack believes ‘race drivers ought to race’.
“For Max, it was seven weekends in a row with all of the GT3 stuff. It exhibits what racers they’re,” Krack added.
“It can glue me to the TV as properly, like all of us.”
Krack continued to be requested whether or not he would let his drivers take up different races, resembling Le Mans.
“I’m not making this ultimate approval, ‘sure or no, you’re allowed to’. So I can’t actually verify. I’m simply saying personally, it is a good factor as a result of race drivers ought to race.”
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