Alonso started out in Formula One aged 19. He’s now 36. He has amassed 32 wins, 97 podiums and two world championships. That could have been five, if you consider the ones he so narrowly missed, and also on the basis of pure talent and racing intelligence. But Alonso hasn’t won a Grand Prix since Spain in 2014, with Ferrari.

All the same, endurance racing is by no means second best. He hasn’t turned to it or for his image, for money and definitely not for a rest. Not at all. Alonso wants to race Le Mans because it’s what he’s always dreamed of. It was som ething he wanted to do long before any career glitches.He has something of Ayrton Senna about him. The two share talent, commitment, an uncompromising character, an instinct for strategy and the science of driving. Alonso shows the same brilliance and perseverance as the Brazilian wizard.

Unsurprisingly, his personality is a turn-off for some. There is no pretence or fake friendliness here. He grumbles, growls even, at times. Not about opponents’ track behaviour. No, when he speaks out with vehemence, as he has on several occasions in the past few years, it’s to complain that the tools of his trade are not up to scratch. Something he finds unacceptable, because, as a driver, he makes sure he is always in racing form. In those darker seasons when he started from the back of the field more often than was his lot, he always put up a fight. If he couldn’t bag any points, he would aim for the best place possible. Racing for glory, for fun, whatever, as long as it’s racing.

“When I’m at the wheel of a racing car, I’m happy.” You can tell it’s true. He is interested in all motorsports, by the technological aspects, the racing techniques and the strategy involved. He loves getting to grips with the ins and outs.

So why hasn’t he ventured further afield before now? Because Formula One is an all-or-nothing discipline. If you’re in Formula One, especially if you’re successful, you can’t turn  your back on it easily. It takes great strength of character. Choosing the Indianapolis 500 miles over the Monaco Grand Prix, leaving one legend for another, takes both courage and humility. Such risk-taking is what racing is all about. His passion for the sport dictates such choices. Let’s not be fooled into thinking this is a publicity stunt. No, this is Alonso competing with Alonso. The same goes for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s an eagerness to try something new, to acquire more skills, to put his talents to the test.

It’s about encountering the dead of night, discovering a different way of driving - as a team - and mastering complex state-of-the-art technology. To make sure he wasn’t completely in the dark when it came to night driving, he included the 24 Hours of Daytona in his preparation for Le Mans.

And as he doesn’t do things by halves, he hasn’t just elected to do Le Mans, he’s committed to the full FIA WEC season. This is no prima donna whim. “Sure, it’s a lot of work. I have a lot to learn: the rules, the car, the cockpit controls, how to work with crew members and engineers and how to get the most out of the car. I’m teamed with very experienced drivers [Sébastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima] and I have to match them as quickly as possible.” Alonso has completely grasped the spirit of endurance: he is totally committed to the cause and contributes everything he can. He isn’t the Toyota guest star, he is one of six drivers, each with their own distinctive qualities. “There is no room for inflated egos in endurance. I’m content to take my place as a team member. It’s astounding how quickly you set aside the Formula One mind-set and get into the spirit of togetherness, on and off the track. Whatever you discover, you immediately share the knowledge with the five others. It comes naturally.” Obviously, Alonso aims to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Buemi and Nakajima. However, taking part is an achievement in itself: “For a start, it wasn’t easy to arrange and also Formula One drivers have long lost the habit of switching between disciplines and I’m proud to be the one to reinstate the noble tradition.”