Alonso compares F1 and Daytona atmospheres

It is unlikely that you or I will ever get close to an F1 car, to touch it or sit in it, unless we are at a show or event. Not a chance it will happen when the cars are lining up on track ahead of a race.

But that’s what happens over in America at races in Daytona.

Fernando Alonso, who ended his F1 career last year, is preparing for his new full-time drive in endurance racing, and mentioned some of the differences between Daytona and F1.

He told Autosport: "There were a lot of good moments last year and already this year a couple of kids were even jumping in the car at one point.”

Isn’t that every kid’s dream when they attend a race? However, Alonso can’t see it ever happening in Europe or F1.

He added: "They get really close to the teams, to the drivers, to the cars. They can even touch the car if they want. It's just something unthinkable in Formula 1 or racing in Europe, so I think that's the nice part of this atmosphere and this race.

"I know it will be even bigger with all the fans here and how close they are on pitlane as well.

"When you jump in the car, you're still signing autographs and taking pictures even with the helmet on, waiting for the car to come to pit lane.

"Sometimes you need to tell them you are in a critical moment and you should be ready to jump in.

"But at same time if you embrace that and enjoy that, it is a very nice event and very nice emotion to see all the passion from the fans when they see the cars."