Fernando Alonso has praised the opportunities for fans to interact with the teams and drivers ahead of this weekend’s Daytona 24 Hours.
The Spaniard will be competing in his first race since retiring from Formula 1 at the end of last season but it will be the second time he takes on IMSA’s showpiece event.
Last year, he made his sportscar debut in a United Autosport entry but issues saw him finish a lowly 38th, this time, however, victory is the goal in a Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac.
While there is the serious business to attend to on the track, Alonso admits he enjoys the atmosphere that racing in America brings.
“There were a lot of good moments last year and already this year a couple of kids were even jumping in the car at one point,” the double F1 world champion commented. “They get really close to the teams, to the drivers, to the cars. They can even touch the car if they want.
“It’s just something unthinkable in Formula 1 or racing in Europe, so I think that’s the nice part of this atmosphere and this race.”
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The level of immersion for the spectators is such that Alonso acknowledges it can actually interfere with preparations but doesn’t necessarily see that as a negative.
“I know it will be even bigger with all the fans here and how close they are on pitlane as well,” he continued. “When you jump in the car, you’re still signing autographs and taking pictures even with the helmet on, waiting for the car to come to pit lane.
“Sometimes you need to tell them you are in a critical moment and you should be ready to jump in, but at the same time if you embrace that and enjoy that, it is a very nice event and very nice emotion to see all the passion from the fans when they see the cars.”