24h Le Mans
Fernando Alonso’s goal is clear. As a (two-time) Formula One world champion and winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, victory at the Indianapolis is the only race between the Spaniard and the sought-after Triple Crown of motorsport.
Alonso’s trophy cabinet is full, almost. World Champion with Renault F1 Team in 2005 and 2006, he has won 32 Grand Prix in 18 seasons. This season, he is still competing in Formula One with McLaren alongside his World Endurance Championship campaign with Toyota Gazoo Racing. He set out to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans and has the World Endurance Championship in his sights. He is almost halfway there, after his successful first attempt at Le Mans in the #8 Toyota TS050 Hybrid, a victory he shared with Sébastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima.
Two months later he announced that this would be his last Formula One season. Some wondered what he would be doing instead. When we met at the WEC 6 Hours of Silverstone, he said: “For now, I’m concentrating on the FIA WEC because when I committed to the whole Super Season, to me that meant winning Le Mans and being world champion. We have two shots at Le Mans this season and I won first go.”
Alonso’s remaining challenge is the Triple Crown, the grand slam of motorsport, which involves winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Formula One world championship and the Indianapolis 500. With the first two trophies tucked away, a win in the American race would put Alonso’s name in the history books alongside Graham Hill, the only driver to have claimed the crown. The Briton was Formula One world champion in 1962 and 1968, won the Indy 500 in 1966 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1972 in a Matra MS670 with Henri Pescarolo. In August, Alonso wasn’t ruling out the IndyCar Series. “It would be interesting because I really enjoyed racing the Indy 500 last year.” [He was leading the race when the car broke down]
Yesterday, Wednesday 5 September, Alonso tried an IndyCar on the Barber Motorsport Park in Alabama (USA). He took to the track in a single-seater belonging to Andretti Autosport, his 2017 team. It was one of his first outings on a road circuit, having tried oval tracks for the first time just over a year ago. Judging by his enthusiastic tweet, the champion was delighted. However, he has not yet confirmed his intentions for the coming season. Watch this space!
