Fernando Alonso is far more prone to return to the Dakar Rally than to the Indy 500 in the longer term, but he insisted his “only priority” is winning a 3rd Formula 1 world title in an Aston Martin.
Earlier this 12 months, Alonso signed a brand new contract that may keep him at Aston Martin's F1 team until at the least the 2026 season, including an ambassadorship deal that may keep him connected to the manufacturer beyond his Grand Prix days.
The 43-year-old Spaniard says he still has aspirations of winning a 3rd world title before his time within the series involves an end, together with his team bolstered in its technical ranks with Red Bull design legend Adrian Newey, Ferrari technical director Enrico Cardile and former Mercedes boss boss Andy Cowell units in recent months.
He was also asked concerning the prospect of returning to Indianapolis to capture motor racing's Triple Crown of winning the Indy 500, 24 Hours of Le Mans and F1's Monaco Grand Prix, but was concerned about his fourth appearance in an IndyAutomobile predominant event.
“I attempted to do the Indy 500 thrice and failed. This is the just one missing [from the triple crown]. But that's not on my agenda in the intervening time,” Alonso said at an event organized by Cognizant, Aston's sponsor.
“I'm very, very focused [on] Now Formula 1. In the subsequent two or three years I need to win my third world title. This is my first and only priority in the intervening time.
Fernando Alonso from the Aston Martin F1 team gets into the automotive
Photo: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
“Then, since I'll be 45, 46, I believe the commitment it's going to take to do the Indy 500, the quantity of learning I'm going to should do all all over again… it's going to be a bit much. Or so I believe now, I can't say 100%.
Instead of returning to the race in Indianapolis, the two-time world champion said he had a significantly better probability of one other shot at winning the Dakar Rally, which he believed could be a greater validation of his versatility as a driver.
While on sabbatical from F1, Alonso finished thirteenth within the 2020 Dakar Rally with Toyota, alongside five-time motorcycle winner Marc Coma, after a costly crash on stage 10 cost him many hours.
“I think my next biggest challenge will be the Dakar,” he explained. “I believe if I can win the Dakar, it’ll be extremely satisfying for me personally because I can win in Formula 1, I can win endurance races, I can win Le Mans and Daytona, and if I may win rallies, it’ll be this may mean loads to me as a driver.
#310 Toyota Gazoo Racing: Fernando Alonso, Marc Coma
Photo: ASO
“You can't drive a Formula 1 automotive in the identical way as a Le Mans automotive where you’ve got to run 24 hours to win the race, or the Dakar Rally where you’ve got to drive through dunes and gravel around Saudi Arabia. So I needed to learn and begin from scratch in lots of these categories, surround myself with one of the best drivers on this planet, especially on this series, learn from them and be humble.
“It's okay to accept the fact that I had no idea how to drive a rally car, but [was] day by day I improved and learned from them until I could take part in the most difficult rally in the world.”
