Fernando Alonso's Dakar Rally plans confirmed by Toyota

Fernando Alonso

Fernando Alonso's Dakar Rally plans confirmed

A new adventure for Fernando!

Matthew Scott

Wednesday 21 August 2019 11:30

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Toyota has confirmed that Fernando Alonso will continue to test its Hilux off-road racer, which the Japanese manufacturer says "is expected to compete in the next Dakar Rally".

Alonso and Toyota teamed up to secure two Le Mans 24 Hours victories and World Endurance Championship title success, as the Spaniard seeks motorsport's 'Triple Crown' – only the Indianapolis 500 now eludes him.

McLaren's entry into IndyCar next year could give Alonso another chance to complete the set, but he has instead switched focus recently to the Dakar Rally, a race through desert landscapes, which will be held in Saudi Arabia next January.

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The double F1 world champion is scheduled to race in the Harrismith 400 in South Africa next month for Toyota as he ramps up preparations for Dakar.

#BreakingNews ?Fernando Alonso @alo_oficial keeps an eye on #Dakar with #TOYOTAGAZOORacing https://t.co/PAgzOOzzgd pic.twitter.com/8W1ILKTpTj
— Toyota Europe (@toyota_europe) August 20, 2019

Alonso said: "I'm really excited to continue my adventure with Toyota Gazoo Racing.

"Together we have achieved so much since I first drove a Toyota in November 2017, with our two consecutive wins at Le Mans, the World Endurance Championship for the team and a drivers' title with my teammates Sebastien [Buemi] and Kazuki [Nakajima].

"I got a taste of off-road rallying earlier this year and it left me with a good feeling that I want to prolong.

"I knew it would be a totally different experience with a steep learning curve but the Hilux just felt great; it gave me so much confidence so quickly and I was improving loop after loop.

"I'm really looking forward to the next few months of training, getting to know the Hilux and working with the team. I've always maintained I want to pursue new challenges in different disciplines and I'm at a great team to do that."