F1 News
Alonso: "If I decide to enter the Dakar again, it would be with high expectations"
Fernando Alonso's participation in the Dakar Rally might have ended with an underwhelming 13th place finish but the Spaniard has insisted he's happy with his performance, refusing to comment on any future place at the event.
The 2019 Dakar Rally was held in Saudi Arabia and won by Carlos Sainz Sr, the father of F1 driver Sainz Jr. However, the event was overshadowed by the death of Paulo Goncalves during the first week of the competition.
Alonso finished 13th in his maiden Dakar appearance, a respectable finish in what is regarded as one of the toughest challenges in motorsport. The two-time F1 World Champion was content with his performance.
"I have felt competitive almost every day," Alonso said at Friday's finish at Qiddiya.
"On this last stage, we had a puncture, we caught Yazeed [Al Rajhi] and we still finished fourth, so I think we would have been in with a shot at winning the stage.
"If I decide to enter the Dakar again, it would be with high expectations. I don't want to think about it now. I'm happy with how it went.
"Logically, after this first experience, and having been competitive, if I race in the future, I'll try to do it to win, to add an important victory to my career.
"But there's time for that [decision]. I would have to have a more precise and detailed preparation and have the best equipment. If you like racing, spending holidays in a car is a good option. We'll see."