Fernando Alonso tempted by Dakar Rally return: “It’s one of the challenges I still need to win”. Fernando Alonso tempted by Dakar Rally return after F1 exit.

Dakar in the spotlight
The 47th edition of the Dakar Rally officially kicked off in Saudi Arabia, one of the most beloved competitions among two- and four-wheel drivers for its difficulty, requiring navigation of long routes in extreme desert conditions. A true challenge that also attracted Fernando Alonso, one of the great names in international motorsport, who finished 13th in the 2020 edition driving for Toyota.

Career victories
In his still-active career, the Spaniard has won two Formula 1 world titles and two 24 Hours of Le Mans, but he has not achieved the elusive Triple Crown—an unofficial recognition for those who have won the famous French endurance race, the Monaco GP in F1, and the Indianapolis 500. The latter victory remains missing, despite three attempts, with his best result being 21st place in 2021.

The plan
It’s hard to imagine Fernando Alonso returning to race at Indianapolis, especially given his contract with Aston Martin, which runs until 2026. However, he remains eager to compete in the Dakar again: “One of the challenges I still need to win is Dakar, or rallies in general,” he confirmed on the *Asi Empece* podcast. “In rallies, you have a co-driver next to you guiding you through the route, but you also have to keep both feet on the pedals for almost the entire stage because that’s how you stabilize rally cars. You also have to manage the weight while cornering and braking. It’s a completely different technology compared to Formula cars, because if you try that there, you burn the brakes and consume a lot of fuel. Additionally, the car doesn’t move due to its weight but because of its aerodynamics.”

This description once again highlights Fernando Alonso’s deep passion for racing: “I love racing,” he continued. “I had a steering wheel in my hands when I was three years old. Now I’m 43, so I’ve been driving for 40 years. I imagine it won’t be possible to stop one day and never drive again. The experience in WEC enriched me as a driver because I had to learn from the best in every series. I didn’t have a comfort zone—I had to learn everything from scratch, just like in school. It was fascinating, and if I stop racing in Formula 1, Dakar or another championship will reignite that passion for learning.” – the former Ferrari and McLaren driver concluded.