Fernando Alonso claims securing the second leg of motorsport’s ‘triple crown’ at the Le Mans 24 Hours next month is now his main priority in 2018.
The double Formula 1 world champion made his WEC debut with Toyota at the Spa 6 Hours this past weekend, alongside Sebastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima, overcoming late gearbox and tyre problems to secure victory by just 1.5 seconds.
It would mark his first race victory in a major motorsport series since the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix but, given how his F1 team McLaren remains mired in the midfield this season, winning the world’s most famous endurance race was top of his agenda even before his success.
“My priority is to live the Le Mans experience. A huge race,” he was quoted by PlanetF1.
“I don’t think I can save my F1 season but I have this opportunity to take part in Le Mans and I don’t intend on wasting my chance.”
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With Toyota being the only major manufacturer competing in the leading LMP1 class for the ‘superseason’ which will run over the next two years, Alonso is certainly in the right place to achieve his goal.
And after Spa, the 36-year-old is confident going into the final month of preparations before the 24-hour race.
“It’s a good test, and I’m ready for Le Mans,” the Spaniard said after the event at the iconic Belgian circuit. “I think it’s definitely challenging. All the race long you need to stay always at the top of your game.
“Anything can happen over six hours, a lot of traffic, a lot of risky moments,” he added referring back to Spa. “So I think we executed the race to perfection, and we have the one-two, so it’s good for the team.”
