Fernando Alonso says he intends to continue his exploration of motorsport world beyond the “small world of Formula 1” by taking part in other racing series.
Alonso took part in Indy500 last year and plans to follow it up by racing in 2018 Rolex 24 at Daytona under Zak Brown’s United Autosport’s team. The Spaniard believes he can showcase his talent better by being successful outside the limited world of F1.
“I want to be the best driver in the world,” he said. “And to do that you need to compete in different series, you need to win in different cars, and sometimes you need to go out of this small world of F1.
“This is smaller than motorsport, motorsport is more than F1. My plans for motorsport are much greater than everyone will think. We will see.”
He added: “I’ve been trying this for eight or nine years now, and I could not succeed with any of the bosses that I had before.
“Now I think Zak understood that motorsport is bigger than what we think, and some of the experiences that we had in the Indy 500, some of the value that McLaren has now in the US thanks to that approach, it’s a win-win situation for everyone. I’m happy with this approach.”
To prepare himself for the 24 hours race, Alonso is taking part in the ‘Roar Before the 24’ test taking place in Florida three weeks before the actual race. He is also taking time to practice on the simulator to get a better handle on the series.
“I will try to have some simulator test, again like always to a new series, try to test in different conditions, night, day, different things that we will discover there,” he said.
“There is the test at the beginning of January with all the cars on the track. Probably I will learn the circuit there, I will learn the traffic, pit stop procedures, changing drivers, all these things. It’s the way it is. ,”
Lando Norris and Paul di Resta might join the two-time world champion in the series.
“It’s the same preparation for some of my teammates, for Lando [Norris], for Paul di Resta, they are all in the same situation, so we will try to help each other, and whatever we learn, try to pass to the other drivers,”
He brushed aside McLaren boss Brown’s suggestion that he mentor Norris like Alex Wurz did for Lance Stroll at Daytona in 2016.
“That’s not the main reason,” said Alonso. “I think Lando has the talent and had everything to succeed in the future. I think now it’s an experience that we will both put in our pocket, and maybe it’s useful for the future.
“Whenever I can help Lando, not in Daytona specifically, I think more in F1 or in the simulator or whatever job he’s doing right now, I think it’s great for both.
“Great for the present, to keep improving the car, and great for the future, because McLaren will have a very strong driver very soon.”
