Alonso begs for bigger seatbelts between the legs!

Fernando Alonso drew laughter from reporters this week as he claimed that the biggest issue with his new venture into the Daytona 24 Hours race is the seatbelt between the legs which is a little too snug in the groin region...

The Formula One driver is expanding his horizons at the moment and will compete in the Daytona 24 Hours at the end of the month, with practice taking place yesterday.

This was Alonso's first opportunity to test the United Autosport LMP2 vehicle, but only completed a handful of laps in the car he will be sharing with Lando Norris and Phil Hanson at the end of January. The Spaniard was positive about his first test of the car.

"Unfortunately, this was only a short time, three laps this morning, but enough to have feeling in the car and on the speedway as well," Alonso said.

"Obviously, the high banking is special and you feel the compression there in the body and the visibility change...

"It was good fun. Unfortunately, there wasn't a lot of track time but we're going to get more in the second session. So far, so good."

However, Alonso did have one gripe about the car, and it turns out things were a little uncomfortable for him in the groin area,

"The biggest thing, so far, is the seatbelts," Alonso said.

"You know, the one that goes between our legs. It uh, needs to be longer... So, uh, yeah, that was the biggest challenge that we need to figure out."

Alonso left the jokes aside thereafter, and admitted it will be a big learning curve in this new venture.

"It’s more or less the same goal as Indianapolis – first of all, try to learn different driving techniques, try to learn from the specialists of endurance races, try to be a better driver when the 24 hours finishes," he added.

"It’s the first time for me in an endurance race, first time in a prototype car, first time driving at night, first time driving with GT [cars] around so many new things that will come step by step.

"That’s quite a big challenge but I’m ready to enjoy first of all and, as happened at Indianapolis, if you feel the opportunity, if you feel competitive, you go for it."