Toyota driver Nasser Al-Attiyah believes Fernando Alonso will return to the Dakar Rally after being impressed by his performance on his first try three years ago.
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During his sabbatical from Formula One following a difficult second stint at McLaren, Alonso experimented with a variety of motorsport disciplines, including endurance racing, but probably faced his most challenging task when he entered Dakar in early 2020. Driving the factory Toyota Hilux in Saudi Arabia’s prestigious cross-country rally, the Spaniard outperformed expectations by finishing in the top ten in eight of the 12 stages, eventually ending 13th in the overall standings. Alonso has now returned to Formula One, signing a multi-year contract with Aston Martin that would keep him in the sport until at least the end of the 2024 season.
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Al-Attiyah, a four-time Dakar winner, believes Alonso has the passion for cross-country rallying and believes any top-level driver can succeed in the marathon given they have enough experience navigating the terrain. “I still encourage Fernando to get him back in Dakar,” the Qatari driver remarked when questioned about the possibility of Alonso returning to the rally by reporter. “I know Fernando from Formula One, but I first met him when he joined the team in 2020.
“The team requested me to assist Fernando in teaching in the sand dunes. It was three days in Qatar and under 50 degrees Celsius, and he did an incredible job. He is extremely gifted. “For the first time in Dakar, he demonstrated speed.” For this type of race, you need experience, because according to Dakar’s history, you need four-five-six years of experience to win. Al-Attiyah will attempt to retain his championship in next year’s Dakar, which will be held entirely in Saudi Arabia but over 14 stages rather than 12. The action will begin with the Prologue on the 31st of December, with the first full stage beginning on New Year’s Day.
