Alonso: Dakar Toyota "takes more abuse" than I'm used to

Former Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso says his Dakar Toyota Hilux "takes more abuse" than he's used to after driving one for the first time.

The two-time F1 world champion has driven many different cars over the past two years and he claims this machine is really different from anything he has driven before.

"I have tried different series and different cars over the past two years and it is an opportunity to try something very different to what I am used to driving," Alonso said after the test in an interview on motorsport.com.

The Spaniard currently drivers for Toyota in the WEC, while he is preparing to enter the Indy500 with McLaren. It seems as if Alonso is preparing himself well for a potential entry in the Dakar Rally.