Boullier backs Alonso to flourish in busy schedule

McLaren racing director Eric Boullier has backed Fernando Alonso to flourish in Formula One this season even though there are added races to the Formula One calendar which will come in addition to his commitments in the Le Mans 24 Hours race.

This year promises to be a very hectic season for Alonso, who will race in five weekends in a row over F1 and Le Mans over June and July. These commitments are part of his desire to claim motorsport's 'triple crown' which includes victories at Le Mans, the Monaco Grand Prix, and the Indianapolis 500.

The Spaniard has always claimed that Formula One remains his top priority, and Boullier thinks his driver will not struggle to meet the demanding schedule.

"Fernando is a professional sportsman who is able to prepare for this", Boullier told L'Equipe.

"Last year, Fernando raced on 34 weekends, competing under different names in karting and other series. It's what he likes to do."

Altogether, Alonso could potentially feature in 26 events over the course of the year, and Boullier says that the desire of the driver to venture into other motorsports competition is born from a need to keep his skills ticking over, and not from the fact that McLaren have not competed for a championship for so long.

"We are in a sport where the driving is reduced more and more in order to lower costs," the McLaren director insisted.

"But the drivers understand that the more they drive, even if it is in other categories, the more they keep up the practice.

"As a boss, I like this argument. And if you are constantly racing, you have less temptations and fewer distractions."