Fernando Alonso will race in both Formula 1 and the WEC in 2018 after he, McLaren and Toyota came to an agreement it was announced on Tuesday.

The Spaniard, who completed his first endurance race over the weekend competing in the Rolex Daytona 24, had been expected to attempt the Le Mans 24 Hours in June, however, now he will compete in all but one of the WEC events as the Fuji 6 Hours clashes with the United States Grand Prix.

It also comes after Alonso made his first outing in an LMP1 Toyota at the rookie test in Bahrain late last year but commenting on the decision to let Alonso compete, executive director Zak Brown concedes it was only done on the pretence that McLaren and F1 came first.

"Like Fernando, at McLaren, we’re racers at heart and our team is built on a brave heritage of competing and succeeding in different forms of the sport," he said.

"Equally important is the confidence that nothing detracts from our number one goal of F1. After proper evaluation, we are satisfied that this campaign does not do that, and that McLaren’s best interests prevail."

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After seeing his debut in sportscars at Daytona blighted by a puncture and brake problems, the double F1 champion is aware of the scale of the challenge he faces but insists his goal is clear.

"I’ve never been shy about my aim of winning motorsport’s ‘Triple Crown’ – the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indy 500, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. We tried for Indy last year, came close, but just missed out," he stated.

"This year, I have the chance thanks to McLaren to race for the win at Le Mans. It is a big challenge – much can go wrong – but I am ready, prepared and looking forward to the fight.

"My deal to race in WEC was only made possible through the good understanding and strong relationship I have with McLaren, and I’m very happy that they listened and understood what this means to me," he added.

"In no way will this challenge take away from my main target of F1 with McLaren. In 2018, my aim is to be competitive at every Grand Prix, and I feel sure that we are closer to achieving that."