Understanding struggles and improving key to Le Mans charge - Alonso

  • Published on 10 Dec 2019 16:06
  • comments 1
  • By: Dieter Rencken & Coilin Higgins

Fernando Alonso says he remembers every lap from this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans and that understanding where to improve was key to taking the victory in the famous race last June.

Two-time F1 champion Alonso, along with Toyota teammates and former F1 drivers Sebastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima secured the win in the race, as well as taking the 2018/2019 WEC title also.

Speaking alongside his teammates at the recent FIA Gala in Paris, Alonso recounts his memories of the weekend at Le Mans, including his time in the car during the night, as well as the series as a whole throughout the year,

"I remember. I think there was a couple of situations where I was doing more driving," Alonso said. "Certain windows I performed better and then certain windows where I was struggling a little bit more.

"Once we understood that we tried to use it to our won benefit, but I remember every lap of the second of our two years there. It was a strange championship having half of 2018 and half of 2019.

"All the testing and all the races we did. We spent so many hours with the team, with the teammates and discovering a new part of motorsport."

Combining WEC and F1 an 'intense but lovely' experience

Alonso also mentioned about competing in the 2018 F1 season alongside his full-time WEC campaign with Toyota and told of although he found the joint effort very intense, it was an experience he enjoyed doing.

Alonso also showed his disbelief of being at the gala as receiving a world title once again and explained his happiness of being a world champion once again.

"Combining two championships in 2018 with F1 and endurance was very intense," Alonso explained. "But a lovely experience.

"Every world championship is unique and it's nice to sit here as a world champion again. My first time was in 1996 when I came with the FIA karting championship and now 23 years later, I am sitting here with a world endurance.

"It's just about loving what you do and it doesn't matter what category as long as you are performing at your best level and you are trying to improve as a driver."

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • Fernando has shocking amount of haters, similar to Lewis. They are very polarizing. But their accomplishments are as different as they are spectacular. I am amazed with Alonso's ability to take on new categories and perform.

    • + 0
    • Dec 11 2019 - 08:34

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2023

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
3 - Mar 5
Bahrain
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia
31 - Apr 2
Australia
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan
5 - May 7
United States of America
19 - May 21
Italy
26 - May 28
Monaco
2 - Jun 4
Spain
16 - Jun 18
Canada
30 - Jul 2
Austria
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom
21 - Jul 23
Hungary
28 - Jul 30
Belgium
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands
1 - Sep 3
Italy
15 - Sep 17
Singapore
22 - Sep 24
Japan
20 - Oct 22
United States of America
27 - Oct 29
Mexico
3 - Nov 5
Brazil
17 - Nov 19
United States of America
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
3 - Mar 5
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
26 - May 28
Monaco Monte Carlo
2 - Jun 4
16 - Jun 18
30 - Jul 2
Austria Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
1 - Sep 3
Italy Monza
15 - Sep 17
22 - Sep 24
20 - Oct 22
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
3 - Nov 5
Brazil Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 478
  • Podiums 8
  • Grand Prix 141
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (42)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar