Alonso says NASCAR not in plans for now, using Daytona as Le Mans launch bid
The Spaniard's aim is to claim the Triple Crown.
After making headlines while competing in the Indy 500 in 2017, Fernando Alonso continues to remain in the limelight with his latest adventure in the Rolex 24 at Daytona this month - thereby taking the first step into endurance racing.
The preparations for the 24 Hours race begun this weekend at Daytona International Speedway with the ROAR before the 24 event, which works as a dress rehearsal to the main event. Alonso will drive the #23 United Autosports Ligier LMP2 car alongside Lando Norris and Phil Hanson.
For Alonso and for many other drivers, Friday's two practice sessions were the first chance to not only learn the cars, but also learn the circuit - which has a unique challenge of being a combined road course. His team finished sixth and 13th respectively, with Alonso completing 21 laps in all.
The Spaniard admits that he has a similar process of learning to make in Daytona as he did during the Indy 500 stint. "It’s more or less the same goal as Indianapolis, first of all try to learn different driving techniques, try to learn from the specialists of endurance races, try to be a better driver when the 24 hours finishes, that's the first aim," he said.
“It’s the first time for me in an endurance race, first time in a prototype car, first time driving at night, first time driving with GT [cars] around so many new things that will come step by step. That’s quite a big challenge but I’m ready to enjoy first of all and, as happened at Indianapolis, if you feel the opportunity, if you feel competitive you go for it. There's always a competitive person inside us drivers' genes, so as soon as you smell the blood you go for it."
One of the big ask for Alonso and his teammates will be driving in the night time for nearly 12 hours. It remains a 'question mark' for the two-time Formula 1 champion since he is yet to practice under lights. Last month he undertook the Dubai 24 Hours Kart race, but Daytona is different case scenario.
Meanwhile, Alonso was firm that his first priority still remains F1 and a third world championship this year, as he puts all his hopes on McLaren's new partnership with Renault - the manufacturer with whom he won both his titles.
Along with F1 title, he has one eye on the Triple Crown as well and for that very reason, he believes Daytona will work well as a launchpad for Le Mans 24 Hours event later this year, since he is unable to compete in Indy 500 this season.
"Obviously, the main priority for me is doing Formula 1 and winning the third world championship. I think this year with McLaren, we definitely have a good opportunity to show how good as a team [we are] with Renault power unit.
"We should be back to the top places. That's the focus and where my preparation is around the whole season. But to race in some iconic events during the season and not disturb Formula 1 is also in the plan and doing this race is some kind of first step in endurance championship [driving], how these races are and how much I enjoy these races.
"Hopefully, it’s a positive answer. After the Daytona 24 Hours, I will have a better understanding of these championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours and the triple crown is another target. So if I can fit in the Le Mans 24 Hours this year that I’m not doing the Indy 500, that will be great and hopefully the following year the Indy 500 can be in the plan again.”
Being at Daytona, the natural question put towards him was, whether he wants to compete in a NASCAR race, especially the hugely popular Daytona 500, he said: "The Speedway is amazing, the size of everything is huge, so I imagine this grandstand full of people for the NASCAR race and that could be an amazing thing to experience.
"[But] NASCAR is not on my thoughts at this moment because I guess NASCAR's driving techniques are very unique, those cars so will need a lot of practice and lot of tests for making that adventure.
"At the moment, I don't have enough weekends free to do it. So, no plans yet, but definitely after being here for the 24 hours [race], definitely I'll watch the race on television at least to see the Daytona Speedway and enjoy the NASCAR race. That will be the first step, watching on the TV."
When asked if he feels any other active F1 driver will want to compete in the event, Alonso had a blunt no, stating that in this day and age, the professional F1 teams won't allow its drivers to take part in such events - furthermore, the vision of other F1 teams is different to McLaren currently.
"I don't think so [any other active F1 driver will ever compete here]. There is one already, [Williams F1 Team's] Lance Stroll racing this weekend with us. I only see him doing this because he loves racing as well. Also, he's from Canada and its part of his culture as well [to do] these kind of races, the American championships.
"But the other guys, I doubt because in Europe, we normally focus everything on one championship. The teams they become more and more professional, there are a lot of training camps, lot of preparations, lot of simulator time. Before the F1, the winter testing starts and it is not easy for drivers to go out of the F1 concept.
"I can do it because of Zak Brown and McLaren, they have made a different vision, more wide vision of motorsport and I share that vision as well and we are expanding the McLaren brand in motorsport and we try to do it together but I think for other drivers in Formula 1, it will be difficult to get that permission."
Alonso's conference included a huge laugh when he was asked how he is adjusting with his much younger teammates. The Spaniard joked that the biggest challenge has been settling the seat belt which goes between the legs - he added, he needs a bigger one than his teammates.
[Image courtesy: United Autosports] #Motorsport #Rolex24 #Daytona #LMP2 #Ligier #UnitedAutosports #NASCAR #F1 #LeMans24Hours #Endurance #Formula1 #Daytona24Hours #LeMans
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