VIDEO: Alonso already back in F1 car

Fernando Alonso might have through he was stepping out of a Formula 1 car for good after the 2018 season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but he was back behind the wheel just a day later as he shook down the McLaren 2013 machine ahead of his car swap with NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson.

The drivers will sample each others' machinery in Bahrain, a move made all the more intriguing by reports that Alonso could actually compete in the stock-car series in 2019.

The MP4-28 was driven by Jenson Button and Sergio Perez in a winless McLaren campaign, but the sound of the V8 engine was still enough to raise a few hairs.

Fernando fires up and heads out for an install lap in the 2013 MP4-28. Trust us, listen to the end. ???? #JJxALO pic.twitter.com/HyYob6KLSt — McLaren (@McLarenF1) November 26, 2018

While Johnson took over the F1 car for the bulk of the day, it was Alonso's efforts in the #48 Hendrick Motorsports machine that were perhaps the most interesting.

Alonso name-dropped the Daytona 500 – one of the NASCAR Cup Series' flagship events – when discussing potential plans for 2019 which will see him conclude his World Endurance Championship with Toyota and tackle the Indianapolis 500 with McLaren in his attempts to become just the second driver in history to secure the 'Triple Crown' of Indy 500, Le Mans 24 Hours and Monaco GP victories after Graham Hill.

Our car swap gets underway as @alo_oficial heads out for his first laps in @JimmieJohnson’s car No.48. ???? #JJxALO pic.twitter.com/qMdJgIbD9L — McLaren (@McLarenF1) November 26, 2018

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