Fernando Alonso is confirmed to be test driving a Toyota LMP1 car this Sunday in Bahrain to get ready for the 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
Alonso has expressed his wish to win the unofficial triple crowns of the Motorsports, by winning at Le Mans and the Indy 500. The Spaniard has already won the Monaco GP twice. Although there are still doubts about Alonso’s participation in the next year’s Le Mans, Sunday’s test will be the first step towards the final challenge with the Japanese car maker.
The Spaniard will drive Toyota’s TS050 HYBRID this Sunday. It is the same car that recently won against Porsche. With Porsche withdrawing from LMP1 next year, Toyota will be the only manufacturer team left in the World Endurance Championship’s top series.
He was at Toyota’s Cologne HQ for a seat fitting and flew to Bahrain on Saturday to watch the race.
Hisatake Murata, Toyota team president said: “We are very excited that Fernando will test our car. When he visited us in Cologne, everyone who met him could sense his enthusiasm and passion for our sport; he is a true racer.
“We very much respect his interest in different forms of Motorsport and it is a pleasure to offer him this chance to drive a hybrid LMP1 car. It will be interesting to hear his feedback on the TS050 HYBRID.”
After Sunday’s test race, Alonso is expected to take part in the Daytona 24 Hours driving an LMP2 car in January next year. Apart from his varied interests in the Motorsports, the Spaniard’s focus will be on Formula 1 and he has already ruled out taking part in Indy500 as the dates clash with Monaco Grand Prix.
Alonso’s chances of taking part in Le Man are high, but only if he is willing to handle five consecutive race weekends next summer.
