Fernando Alonso believes he is a “more complete driver” now than at any point in his career because of his non-Formula 1 exploits.
After the Indianapolis 500 in 2017, the Spaniard focused on sportscars this year with a Daytona 24 Hours run before joining Toyota for the World Endurance Championship ‘super-season’ in addition to his seat at McLaren.
While some were concerned the extra events would lead to burnout, instead, the double F1 champion believes that despite the very different characteristics of the cars he drove, it all worked together.
“It’s difficult to know exactly your speed in the car. You only can follow the numbers, and this year it has been my best year by far in terms of qualifying battles,” Alonso said after beating Stoffel Vandoorne 21-0.
“So, I feel I’m competitive and I’m fast. Probably, testing day in IndyCar and the WEC programme this year, I feel better driver, or a more complete driver.
“I understand more the behaviour of the cars, other driving techniques, other ways of saving energy, saving the tyres.
“So, you have more information from the outside and other engineers, other points of view that maybe makes you better, or [provides] wider views of motorsport.
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“Probably when you jump in the Formula 1 car you have an extra opinion even if it’s not totally useful in a Formula 1 car,” he added.
“The overall concepts of different philosophies, I think it helps you as a driver.”
Of course, Alonso won’t have to worry about F1 in 2019 after calling time on his career after 17 seasons, but he will still have plenty to aim for with the second year of WEC and an attempt to complete the Triple Crown with McLaren at the Indianapolis 500 in May.