Autosportfoto

Alonso 'much more prepared' for Le Mans after Daytona 24 Hours debut

Fernando Alonso says he feels "much more prepared" for a potential assault on the Le Mans 24 Hours after making his sportscar debut at Daytona.

The McLaren Formula 1 star's maiden Daytona 24 Hours appearance was beset by issues in the #23 United Autosports Ligier JSP217, which dropped out of contention for a top finish with a brake problem.

Along with team-mates Lando Norris and Phil Hanson, Alonso finished 38th overall, 91 laps down on the winning Action Express Racing Cadillac DPi.

Despite a disappointing result, Alonso said the experience remained valuable and suggested his chances of making a first Le Mans appearance this year were "60/40".

"As a preparation, absolutely yes," said Alonso, when asked if he felt confident about tackling Le Mans after his Daytona outing.

"[I learned about] driver changes, communication, driver preparation between the stints, how much rest we need to have, how much you need to be in the garage, how much focus you need to have in the race, how to get ready to jump in the car.

"As I said when I came to Indianapolis, it was my first time oval racing, first time for many things.

"If and when I will be in Le Mans, it will be the second time at least [in a 24-hour race], so I will be much more prepared.

"The next time I jump in a prototype car [with a] closed cockpit, I know the feeling, the traffic situation, night driving, I know about the safety car.

"I know things now that I didn't know yesterday [Saturday] - 24 hours ago - so that was one of the goals for this event."

Alonso also hinted he would likely return to Daytona for another crack at the American endurance classic next year.

"I think so," he said when asked by Autosport about the prospect.

"It's a race in January when normally the motorsport calendar is quite empty, [and] for us drivers it's quite convenient to come here to do this race.

"It's an iconic race, a prestigious race and it's in a part of the year when we are quite relaxed, normally preparing ourselves for our season in whatever category you are.

"Instead of being on a bicycle or in the gym, you are driving, so it's much better."

Zdroj: autosport.com