27.8.2019 Cologne. Together with Toyota’s Gazoo Racing Fernando Alonso has completed in the Namibian desert, to the intense rally-Raid Training over three days.
After he announced at the beginning of last week, officially, a possible use in the rally Dakar 2020 prepare, completed routes, the reigning world champion of the FIA world endurance championship (WEC), which is almost 1,000 kilometres in the Toyota Hilux in the Dakar winner in 2019.
In March, Alonso had tested with Toyota’s Gazoo Racing in South Africa. As a result, the decision to expand his already impressive CV and to face the challenges of the so-called rally-Raids matured. After he spent his career on Asphalt, marked the Transition to gravel roads and sand dunes, a hardness test, but Alonso quickly adapted to the terrain.
Mentor in Namibia, the former Dakar-rally winner and Toyota Gazoo Racing team-mate Giniel de Villiers, who graduated at the same time, a test session was. While Alonso concentrated on it, to spend as much time as possible in the Hilux, de Villiers what is tasked with the testing of various components for the 2020 Version of the vehicle. The Team completed the three-day Test, a total distance of almost 2,500 kilometres, further Tests are planned for later in the year.
“Fernando’s progress in this week were amazing. It is clear that he has a great Talent, which he uses at the Transition from Asphalt to gravel and sand race“, says team principal Glyn Hall. “It is important to develop a feel for the car in the dunes and above all, to learn how to read the different terrain shapes and handles. So far, he has driven the Hilux in a goal-oriented, and we look forward to watching its development in the next round of the South African Cross Country Series, which takes place in September.“
Fernando Alonso added: “After the Test, this week I am very pleased with my progress, I understand Driving in the dunes is always better. Thanks to the teaching of Glyn and Giniel, we have made good progress. I see the preparation as an adventure and try to improve myself step by step, if I sit in the car. As a racer of this competition idea, which, at the right time revival is in us always. Since I still have to learn a lot, takes me to work with an experienced Team such as Toyota Gazoo Racing is a big load of the shoulders. The Team has achieved demonstrably large successes, and has remained over the years is constant, so that I can focus on the milestones I need to achieve every day.“
Team-mate and Mentor, Giniel de Villiers, therefore, confirmed: “Fernando is an extremely fast learner, and he is clearly a very talented driver. He quickly got used to the Hilux. If he learns at this rate, I am confident that he can handle the rigors of the Dakar rally. His professional approach to this project speaks for its discipline as a racer. I am looking forward to this trip with him to continue.“
Fernando Alonso completed a successful Training with Toyota’s Gazoo Racing (photo: Toyota)
