{"id":2667,"date":"2018-01-06T21:05:06","date_gmt":"2018-01-07T02:05:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/?p=2667"},"modified":"2022-01-04T19:07:37","modified_gmt":"2022-01-05T00:07:37","slug":"fernando-alonso-gets-first-taste-rolex-24","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2018\/01\/06\/fernando-alonso-gets-first-taste-rolex-24\/","title":{"rendered":"Fernando Alonso Gets First Taste Of Rolex 24"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fernando Alonso<\/strong> has been on a worldwide crusade as of late, racing every bucket-list race possible. Alonso aims to win motor racing’s “Triple Crown”<\/strong> – Monaco GP<\/strong> (Formula 1), Indianapolis 500<\/strong> (IndyCar), Le Mans<\/strong> 24 Hours (WEC) wins. The two-time F1 world drivers’ champion has an established career in Formula 1.<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n

Alonso raced the Indy 500 in 2017. Alonso also tested with the Toyota LMP1 team with an interest in participating in the Le Mans 24h in 2018. The Spaniard will be taking part in the Rolex 24<\/strong> Hours at Daytona<\/strong> International Speedway in Florida<\/strong> this month. This weekend is the “<\/strong><\/span>Roar Before The Rolex” <\/i><\/strong>which will give us a peek at the teams that will be involved in the Triple Crown race near the end of the month. <\/span><\/p>\n

Fernando Alonso Gets First Taste Of Rolex 24<\/h2>\n

This weekend Alonso went behind the wheel of the United Autosport<\/strong> Ligier LMP2, and was able to give it a spin on the Daytona Road Course. On Friday, Alonso pointed out that he only did a few laps in the car, but <\/span>said that he was<\/span> starting to get \u201ca feeling in the car and on the Speedway as well\u201d<\/em>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Alonso was fascinated by the formation of the circuit. He mentioned this saying the \u201cnormal part\u201d of the circuit makes it so that \u201cyou have a view <\/em>in the car that is a little bit longer ahead\u201d.<\/em> Alonso also made note that when on the banking you can see \u201c200 <\/em>metres of the track and only that\u201d<\/em>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Ahead of the testing<\/a> weekend Alonso expressed lots of excitement and enthusiasm to participate in this race. Fernando Alonso said that he was going out of his comfort zone to be in this race. He claims that challenging himself outside of F1 is \u201cwhat you need to become a better driver\u201d.<\/em> Alonso has felt good hospitality from his LMP2 team, mentioning that he has felt \u201cextremely welcome and a part of the family\u201d<\/p>\n

In session 1<\/span><\/a>, the United Autosport Ligier team finished 6th on the timing sheet. In session 2, they placed 13th out of the whole lineup. The third session that has been recorded so far has his team finishing in 11th. The teammates of Alsonso are both young 18- year old drivers – Lando Norris<\/strong> and Phil Hanson<\/strong>.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Alonso is not the only driver to make the crossover from F1 to IMSA this year, with Lance Stroll<\/strong> racing alongside Robin Frijns<\/strong>, Felix Rosenqvist<\/strong> and Daniel Juncadella<\/strong> in one of the two Jackie Chan DCR JOTA ORECA LMP2\u2019s. <\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>