3
Fernando Alonso has started his testing in Toyota's Dakar Rally Hilux in South Africa.
The double Formula 1 world champion has joined Gazoo Racing South Africa for a two-day event in a desert roughly 600 miles from Johannesburg, near the town of Bokhara.
Toyota has brought two Hilux's to the test, which is taking place over small dunes and hard gravel.
Giniel de Villiers, a Dakar Rally winner, is advising Alonso during the test as is de Villiers' regular co-driver, Dennis Murphy.
"Maybe he will not like it, or maybe it's going to take too much time off his calendar to see the level of difficulty of competing in the Dakar," said team manager Glyn Hall.
"Fernando's skills are exceptional, we have seen that for the last 17 years. He has evolved to be one of the best in the world.
"One of the things Fernando has proved in the F1 races I've been to is that he has the ability to listen and think when he's driving on the limit and that is a skill that is key in the cross-country rallies, because you listen to a co-driver.
"But the rally is complicated and he has to think about it."
As well competing in the 2018/19 World Endurance Championship, the Spaniard will race at the 2019 Indianapolis 500 in May with McLaren.
Take a look at our photos below of Alonso testing the Dakar car as he continues to explore options outside of F1.
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
184,603 comments on Aston Martin
78 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Fernando Alonso
Replies (3)
Login to replyRogerF1
Posts: 501
Like “a dog at a fair”, finally off the F1 leash
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Then some people question whether he wishes he was still in F1 lol... Good to see his incredible talent put to use around the world in different categories
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Good to see him out stretching his legs a bit.