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Fernando Alonso tests Dakar car in South Africa

16:15, 27 Mar 2019

byLouis Shaw

Fernando Alonso is set to test a Toyota Hilux this week in South Africa. The Toyota Hilux participated in the Dakar Rally 2019 and provides Alonso with another opportunity to drive a different car and a different style as the Spaniard continues to try new racing cars. The former world champion has driven all sorts of cars having retired from Formula 1.

Alonso travelled to South Africa to test to Toyota Hilux and will be taught by Giniel de Villiers who won the Dakar in 2009.

"The first step is to do a test in a controlled environment so that we both know what the options are," said Glyn Hall, Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa Manager at Motorsport.com.

"Maybe he doesn't like it or takes too much time on his calendar. Fernando's skills are exceptional, we've seen that in the past 17 years. He has become one of the best riders in the world.

"One of the things that Fernando has shown in F1 is his ability to listen and think while he is driving at the limit, which is an important skill in off-road racing because you have to listen to your driver. The race is complicated and you have to think about it."

Alonso is set to complete the triple crown this year as he tries to win the Indy 500. It seems that Alonso is also enjoying learning to drive lots of different cars now he is away from Formula 1.