Phoenix 24
The two-time Formula 1 champion says his previous experience in the desert left unfinished business rather than closure.
Singapore
Fernando Alonso has once again raised the possibility of returning to the Dakar Rally, describing his first participation as an experience that continues to attract him despite the radically different demands of endurance rallying.
Alonso competed in the Dakar in 2020 with Toyota, finishing 13th overall after confronting terrain, navigation and mechanical challenges far removed from Formula 1. For a driver accustomed to circuits measured in laps and thousandths of a second, the event required a different relationship with risk, rhythm and uncertainty.
That contrast appears to be part of its appeal. Alonso has repeatedly built his career around moving beyond Formula 1, competing in the Indianapolis 500, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans and racing in the World Endurance Championship. The Dakar represented another attempt to test whether elite driving skill could transfer into a discipline governed by sand, navigation and long-distance survival.
His latest comments suggest that the experience did not feel complete. Alonso has indicated that he would consider returning if the right project emerged, particularly as manufacturers continue investing in increasingly sophisticated vehicles for the rally.
A possible comeback has also been linked to Aston Martin, although any 2027 participation remains uncertain. The British manufacturer’s involvement would create an unusual bridge between Alonso’s Formula 1 commitments and one of motorsport’s most demanding off-road competitions.
Timing will be crucial. Alonso remains fully engaged in Formula 1, and preparing properly for the Dakar requires extensive testing, navigation work and adaptation to terrain that cannot be replicated during a conventional Grand Prix schedule.
His first attempt demonstrated both the difficulty and potential. He produced competitive stage performances despite limited rally-raid experience, but also suffered setbacks that showed how unforgiving the event can be. In Dakar, outright speed is only one element of success; mechanical preservation, navigation and the ability to recover from mistakes can matter just as much.
That may explain why the race still attracts him. Alonso has already proven almost everything possible within traditional circuit racing, while the Dakar offers a form of competition where much of his accumulated expertise must be reinterpreted.
For many drivers, leaving Formula 1 marks the end of the highest level of competition. Alonso has spent much of his career challenging that assumption.
The desert may still be one of the few places where Fernando Alonso feels he has something left to learn.