Kieran is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs and feature content across the F1 calendar. An NQJ-qualified journalist with more than a decade of experience, he has previously written for publications including MailOnline, the Manchester Evening News and the Eastern Daily Press.
Fernando Alonso has dismissed speculation linking him with a return to the Dakar Rally, insisting that fitting such a major challenge around a Formula 1 season would be “nearly impossible”.
The Spaniard competed in the Dakar Rally in 2020, but has since been the subject of fresh rumours over a possible comeback. Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack said he could not comment on the rumours earlier on Thursday, but said it was 'good for motorsport' when drivers also participate in events outside of Formula 1.
Speaking about the prospect during Thursday's press conference ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, Alonso made clear that the demands of the event and the F1 calendar make it unrealistic.
“No, I don’t think it is possible. Physically, [it is] nearly impossible to fit two programmes like the Formula 1 championship and Dakar Rally,” Alonso said.
Alonso on racing outside of Formula 1
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When asked whether he has plans for other racing projects, including GT3, Alonso said he has not yet tried the category — but stressed he would not take on another discipline without extensive preparation.
“Not GT3, I never tried. You need a very big preparation and every one of these challenges, I think because I was more or less competitive in the past, people think they are easy,” he explained.
“It requires a lot of preparation, a lot of determination, a lot of luck to succeed. So when I do the next challenge, I will announce [it]. It won’t be a rumour, it will be myself doing it and it will be because there is enough preparation and enough of a risk to take.”
Alonso’s comments appear to firmly end the latest Dakar speculation. There had also been uncertainty over the two-time world champion's future in Formula 1. However, despite his difficult season with Aston Martin, Alonso announced he would race with the team again in 2027, ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
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