Fernando Alonso has stated that he would like to return to rally driving after calling time on his F1 career. The legendary Spaniard has set his sights on winning the Dakar rally, adding to his extensive list of motorsport achievements and cementing his legacy as one of the greatest drivers ever.
At 42 years of age, Alonso is already among the oldest F1 drivers of the modern era and with his contract running until the end of the 2025 season, he is showing no signs of wanting to call time on his open-wheel career any time soon.
In fact, the two-time world champion has rolled back the years in 2023 to produce some of his most memorable performances of the last decade. With two rounds remaining of the campaign, he is hanging on to P4 in the Drivers’ Championship having collected 198 of Aston Martin’s 261 points.
Speaking to GQ Espana about life after F1, Alonso explained: “When I retire from Formula One, I would love to return to the Dakar [Rally]. Trying to win the Dakar Rally is a clear goal in my career.
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“It would complete me, make me happy and I think it would leave an almost unprecedented legacy. Winning in Formula One, Endurance and rallying would complete the perfect circle of a racing driver.”
Alonso has previous when it comes to competing in other motorsport disciplines. Whereas some F1 greats have shied away from other series, the legendary Spaniard has embraced them, leading to, among other achievements, back-to-back victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
With the Monaco Grand Prix and 24 Hours of Le Mans on his honours list, Alonso has also attempted the Indy500, bidding to become just the second-ever driver to complete the Triple Crown of Motorsport, alongside the legendary Graham Hill.
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If Alonso is to fulfil his aspirations and follow up his eventual F1 retirement with a shot at the Dakar Rally, then this will not be his first appearance in the event. He competed in the 2020 edition, finishing 13th.
Despite having retirement on the horizon, Alonso doesn’t believe that physical factors are limiting his ability to compete. “I feel good, I still feel young. Motorsport is different from other sports. I think that with age you will surely win instead of lose. You don’t need physical power to run more, you just need to press an accelerator.”
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