Fernando Alonso has earned the respect of his competition as a strong first Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia continues.

After losing over two hours to repair crash damage and falling to 63rd on just the second day, the Spaniard has worked his way back upto ninth in the overall standings, including a second place on Stage 8 on Monday.

Wednesday, however, has seen another setback with a barrel-roll down a dune costing Alonso an hour in further repairs but given his lack of experience, to still be running is a feat in itself.

“He must have 0.5 per cent of the preparation in respect to the competition, but he is magic, the best driver in the world,” said Dakar rival Jesus Calleja via GrandPrix247.

The leader in the car class is rally veteran Carlos Sainz, the father of current McLaren Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr.

And while impressed by Alonso's performance, he admits: “I was not surprised because he is a great driver who adapts to any circumstance.”

As for the man himself, he has always stated that Dakar was merely a personal challenge rather than something he expected to win.

“Honestly, this box is checked,” he said on his list of ambitions. But still the competitive monster he is, Fernando did add that he may return “one day with more chances of victory”.

After this adventure, his next trip looks set to be to the Indianapolis 500 for a third attempt at completing the Triple Crown, this after Andretti Autosport owner Michael Andretti talked up a potential entry.

If he could win, the double F1 champion would be just the second man ever to win Indy, Le Mans and Monaco after Graham Hill.

“That would mean a lot to me because it would be motorsport history,” he said.

But of course, it wouldn't be Alonso if he didn't also tease a future F1 return, this after giving up his seat at McLaren after 2018.

“My love for Formula 1 will always be there,” Alonso told the German news agency SID in Saudi Arabia. "[A potential 2021 return] will be on the table”.