Breaking news
Dakar
Alonso continues Dakar 2020 preparations in Poland
Fernando Alonso completed another two-day test with the Toyota Hilux on roads used in last weekend's Baja Poland, as his preparations for the 2020 Dakar Rally continue.
Sergio Lillo
Edited: Sep 5, 2019, 4:13 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
After driving the Hilux for four days in Namibia in mid-August, two-time Formula 1 champion Alonso continued his acclimatisation to cross-country rallying, completing over 700km on Monday and Tuesday with the help of Toyota's logistic partner Overdrive.
The Spaniard was able to test himself on faster roads, some of which were used during last weekend's sixth round of the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Bajas, instead of the complex dunes that he experienced in Namibia.
“It was definitely a positive couple of days here in Poland where I could experiment with a different sort of terrain," said Alonso. "At this stage of my training, I welcome every kilometre in the Hilux and I’m happy we were able to push ourselves beyond the team’s original plans.
"It’s really great to be part of the Toyota Gazoo Racing family and be given opportunities to try my hands at different types of motorsport. The Hilux has been really fun to drive and I’m enjoying every test.”
#301 Toyota Gazoo Racing Toyota Hilux: Fernando Alonso
Toyota team principal Glyn Hall added: “This is the first test for Fernando in Europe with the Hilux driving on very different terrains and conditions compared to Namibia two weeks ago.
"As we progress through our intensive training programme, we are focussed on getting quality kilometres as Fernando continues to familiarise himself with the Hilux and rally raid, more so than pure mileage. Nevertheless, we were able to double the planned mileage for this test which demonstrates just how quickly Fernando is acclimatising to the Hilux.
"Next week, we leave the relative comfort of a private test setting to give Fernando a first taste of a rally raid competition environment at the Lichtenburg 400."
Alonso will move to South Africa in the next few days, where he will race non-competitively in the penultimate event of the South African Cross Country championship.
Initially scheduled in Harrismith, it will take place in Lichtenburg on September 13-14, due to the high risk of fire from the initial location due to a drought in the country.
#301 Toyota Gazoo Racing Toyota Hilux: Fernando Alonso
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Alonso: "Shocking" to climb dunes for first time
Next article Two-time Dakar winner Roma joins Borgward for 2020 race
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Sergio Lillo
Dakar mechanic dies on the last liaison of 2022
Dakar
Dakar
Dakar
Jan 14, 2022
Dakar mechanic dies on the last liaison of 2022
Dakar leader Al-Attiyah hit by belated FIA seat belt penalty
Dakar
Dakar
Dakar
Jan 11, 2022
Dakar leader Al-Attiyah hit by belated FIA seat belt penalty
Loeb escapes penalty for lost spare wheel in Dakar Stage 8
Dakar
Dakar
Dakar
Jan 10, 2022
Loeb escapes penalty for lost spare wheel in Dakar Stage 8
More from
Fernando Alonso
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?
Formula 1
Formula 1 12 h
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?
Who slept worst last night: Fernando Alonso
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
4 d
Who slept worst last night: Fernando Alonso
More from
Toyota Racing
The new records set by Toyota's Hypercar trio with WEC 2026 title
WEC
WEC
Monza
2 d
The new records set by Toyota's Hypercar trio with WEC 2026 title
Toyota “sad” WEC drivers' title was effectively decided before Monza finale
WEC
WEC
Monza
3 d
Toyota “sad” WEC drivers' title was effectively decided before Monza finale
Latest news
TV ratings released for NASCAR Cup season finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
17 min
TV ratings released for NASCAR Cup season finale
Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck
Homestead
1 h
Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 5 h
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe