Toyota: Alonso practicing for the Dakar Rally
SCENE CHANGE After Formula 1, the Indy 500 and the World Endurance Championship, Fernando Alonso is venturing into new territory. With Toyota, the Spaniard wants to take part in the 2020 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia. In the coming months, Fernando Alonso and Toyota Gazoo Racing will conduct various test drives with the Toyota Hilux. These are expected to result in the participation of the versatile [...]
In the coming months, Fernando Alonso and Toyota Gazoo Racing will conduct various test drives with the Toyota Hilux. These are expected to culminate in the versatile Spaniard's participation in the next Dakar Rally.
A new chapter
An intensive training program in the Toyota Hilux in Europe, Africa and the Middle East is designed to familiarize Alonso with the demanding conditions of so-called rally raids (cross-country rallies). The reigning World Endurance Champion (with Sébastien Buemi on Toyota) starts this week in the deserts of South Africa. At the Harrismith 400, the fifth round of the South African Cross Country Series, the competition debut outside the official classification will follow in mid-September.
From South America to Saudi Arabia
Nasser Al-Attiyah had claimed the first overall victory for Toyota in the Dakar Rally in last Januiar in the Toyota Hilux. The legendary rally will move to Saudi Arabia in January 2020 for the first time since its premiere in 1978 and after a decade in South America. Whether with or without the two-time Le Mans winner and Formula 1 world champion remains to be seen. (ampnet/jri)
