Alonso: McLaren F1 driver to race for Toyota at Le Mans
Fernando Alonso is to take part in the 24-hour race at Le Mans and other rounds of the World Endurance Championship, it was confirmed on Tuesday.
Fernando Alonso will drive for Toyota in this year's Le Mans 24-hour race and other rounds of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), his McLaren Formula 1 team said on Tuesday.
Two-time F1 world champion Alonso chasing Tripe Crown
The Spanish twice F1 world champion has been considering taking part in endurance events as he bids to emulate Graham Hill, the late Briton who won the Formula 1 world title, Indianapolis 500 and Le Mans in the 1960s.
"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," Alonso explained in a statement.
"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."
Alonso raced at Daytona last week
Following his appearance in the 24 Hours of Daytona last week, a deal has been reached with Toyota for the 36-year-old to take part in as many WEC rounds as possible.
McLaren and Alonso have agreed, however, that Formula 1 remains their shared priority and he will miss the Japanese leg of the WEC season on 21 October due to it clashing with the US F1 Grand Prix.