Recent comments from Fernando Alonso suggest he is set to choose WEC over Formula 1 and IndyCar in 2021.
The two-time world champion has an empty schedule after his third attempt at completing the Triple Crown at the Indianapolis 500, which is now set to take place on August 23.
And as Alonso likes to do, he’s been keeping the motorsport world on tenterhooks over his future plans, suggesting he’d make a decision this summer.
However, in this current lockdown period, it seems Fernando has been busy organising making plans.
“I know more or less what I’m going to do in 2021. I hope you will know soon, but I can’t say more now,” he was quoted by Spain’s El Mundo.
Initially, Alonso had been talking up the prospect of returning to F1, though his options for a seat appeared relatively limited.
Well now it seems that is off the table after it was decided to postpone the reason for the Spaniard’s renewed interest.
“I always said that in 2021, with new rules, it was possible that I would return to F1 because perhaps the cars will be more balanced and I am hungry to test myself again,” he said.
“[The decision to delay until 2022 is] bad news for F1 because the regulations are needed as soon as possible, but it is an understandable decision because with this situation now you cannot develop the 2021 cars.”
Also seemingly out of the equation is a full-time move to IndyCar, despite previously teasing more races with Arrow McLaren SP than just the Indy 500.
“That would require a great commitment and a lot of preparation. The Indianapolis 500 is already a great commitment and requires great preparation so I don’t want to imagine the full championship,” he said.
As for what appears most likely, Alonso would talk up a return to the Dakar Rally, which he first completed back in January, finishing 13th.
And then in a separate Q&A with the Le Mans 24 Hours Instagram account, the 38-year-old spoke very highly of the new Hypercar class coming to WEC for the next super-season.
“I will say yes,” he said on how he’d respond if he was offered a seat.
“I think Hypercar is a nice project, together with [the other] different solutions. I know the World Endurance Championship is going through a good process now with IMSA.
“There are a lot of things in the future that will boost endurance racing and I want to be a part of that.
“I don’t know when, but obviously my experience with Le Mans is 100 percent love because of my two participations and two wins. I want to try [for] the third, for sure. Let’s see when.”
Alonso was also excited by the prospect of more competition in the top class of WEC.
“It’s definitely a step forward,” he said. “Unfortunately, with the exit of Audi and Porsche, LMP1 was [left] a little bit weak.
“So hopefully Hypercar will bring that adrenaline again to the top class.
“As long as there are many cars on the grid, it doesn’t matter if they are official or private teams, endurance racing always provides action and emotion until the last lap.
“You need to have as many cars as possible.”