Fernando Alonso has all-but confirmed he will attempt next year’s Dakar Rally with a series of upcoming tests with Toyota.
There has been growing speculation about the possibility ever since the two-time Formula 1 champion tested a Toyota Hilux rally truck back in March.
During that two-day evaluation, Alonso worked with former Dakar winner Giniel de Villiers in South Africa running on two different routes in the Kalahari Desert, later describing the experience as “fun” and “certainly different” from the years he has spent on a racetrack.
Now, as InsideRacing reported on Monday, that has evolved into a bid at the iconic cross country rally event with a series of outings taking place over the next few months in preparation.
Alonso will be driving in Namibia as early as next week in his second test with the Toyota Gazoo South Africa team before further running in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
Also, as reported on Monday, the 38-year-old will take part in the Rally of Morocco, the final event of this year’s Cross Country Rallies Championship from October 4-8.
“I’m really excited to continue my adventure with Toyota Gazoo Racing,” Alonso said.
“Together we have achieved so much since I first drove a Toyota in November 2017, with our two consecutive wins at Le Mans, the World Endurance Championship for the team and a drivers’ title with my teammates Sebastien [Buemi] and Kazuki [Nakajima].
“I got a taste of off-road rallying earlier this year and it left me with a good feeling that I want to prolong.
“I knew it would be a totally different experience with a steep learning curve but the Hilux just felt great; it gave me so much confidence so quickly and I was improving loop after loop.
“I’m really looking forward to the next few months of training, getting to know the Hilux and working with the team.
“I’ve always maintained I want to pursue new challenges in different disciplines and I’m at a great team to do that.”
In a tweet on Monday, France TV Sport went further suggesting Alonso’s co-pilot for the Dakar will be Marc Coma, a five-time winner of Dakar on bikes with KTM and race director for the event since 2015.
The 2020 Dakar Rally takes place between January 5-17 in a new location as Saudi Arabia becomes the host.