Two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso is teaming up with Toyota Gazoo racing for five months of rigorous testing leading up to next year's Dakar Rally.
The Dakar moves to Saudi Arabia in early January after a decade in South America.
Alonso is the reigning FIA World Endurance Championship titleholder and says it's been a revelation working with South Africa's former Dakar Rally winner and Toyota Gazoo Racing teammate Geniel de Villiers.
Over the next five months, Fernando, who looks to broaden his already-remarkable motorsport career across multiple disciplines, will work closely with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and its Dakar Rally team, undergoing an intensive training programme in the Toyota Hilux across Europe, Africa and the Middle East to familiarise himself with the challenging rigours of rallying.
The two-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner, reigning FIA World Endurance Championship titleholder, two-time Formula 1 World Champion, and winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona, will push his limits to develop the off-road driving skills needed to tackle some of motorsport's most challenging events.
The 38-year-old Fernando will continue testing in the deserts of southern Africa on August 20-23, followed by a non-competitive first outing at the 2019 Harrismith 400 in South Africa, and the fifth round of the South African Cross Country Series, on September 13-14.
