Fernando Alonso learning "refined technique" on Namibian dunes in Dakar training!
F1 News
Fernando Alonso has been in the Namibian desert, practising for the Dakar Rally, with the Spaniard set to compete in the gruelling race.
Alonso, a two-time F1 world champion and two time Le Mans 24 hour winner, has been looking for his next challenge since winning the World Endurance Championship and seems to have turned his eye to a rather different type of driving.
The 38-year old was working with Toyota Gazoo Racing and Dakar legends Giniel de Villiers and Marc Coma as he drove on Namibia's highest dune; Dune 7.
Alonso told motorsport.com: "It has been a very interesting experience to climb the big dunes here in Namibia for the first time.
"They were probably a bit shocking at the beginning and had to be approached with a lot of respect.
"They require a refined technique that I don't yet have, and we were having to get out of some trouble that I was getting into from time to time."
Alonso will race at the Harrismith 400 round of the South African Cross Country series next month.
"I’m trying to walk before I run and I'm making little by little progress and gaining confidence. So far, so good.
"Thanks to the team, to Giniel, to my teammate, to everybody, because we’re trying to make progress as quickly as possible and to hopefully have fewer scares with each next run."