Alonso starts Dakar 2020 prep

Fred did well in the dunes on stage 2 finishing 10th about 31 mins behind the leader.  They haven’t posted overall ranking yet but it looks like he’s about 75 mins back.

https://www.motorspo...ird-day/4554096

The third stage brings no luck. Hope it won't deter him from participating in the Dakar Rally in the end. The man breathes racing headlines!

*cough* 

So I think he will not compete in the 2020 Rallye Dakar.

*cough* 

smh.

Typically you aren’t allowed to continue in a rally raid once you time out or crash out.  Morocco is more low key and more or less a test for Dakar which may be why they’ll allow it.  For Dakar you’d pack your things, leave the bivouac and head back to the staging port.

Unlike rally you use both a road book and virtual check points.  It’s not a single track affair.  While several got caught in the rut many did not. It’s the nature of the sport.  Hopefully it doesn’t deter him from running Dakar.

I can't find the results of the Rallye. Any news about the complete results. How were the last 2 days for Alonso?

I can't find the results of the Rallye. Any news about the complete results. How were the last 2 days for Alonso?

Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso finished 27th on his cross-country rally debut after posting the eighth-quickest time in the final stage.

Alonso had shown top-10 pace throughout the five-day rally in his Toyota Hilux, but his work was undone by a suspension failure on Monday - caused when he hit a ditch that was not marked in the roadbook.

https://www.motorspo...][value]=264899

thanks

Now I hope Toyota to be patient, just as much or more as McLaren was to Honda.

Now I hope Toyota to be patient, just as much or more as McLaren was to Honda.

Last I heard Honda are doing very well without Maclaren and Alonso thank you very much!

Last I heard Honda are doing very well without Maclaren and Alonso thank you very much!

What Alonso learned from his best Dakar test yet https://www.autospor...-dakar-test-yet

Long article. A few quotes:

...

 

What does this mean for Dakar in 2020?

 

"I do not know. Now when the rally passes and after a few days I will think about it and talk to the team and we will make the best decision.

 

"Let's also see what the next months are like, what preparation should be done to arrive 100% prepared and be as competitive as possible in the case of going to Dakar. There are two and a half months, there is a car [available]."

 

 

What do you need to improve on?

 

"Many things. Reading the terrain, the obstacles, where to pass them sometimes. Because we cross many rivers, at least here in Morocco, and sometimes my instinct tells me to go through one side and all tracks go to another. So logically they [the more experienced drivers] know a lot more and I [should] follow the tracks, so I have to get many of the things that everyone does.

 

"The dunes too, I need to have more rhythm, more speed and never get stuck. I haven't done it here, but in the future I have to improve a lot more there. Also inside the car. With Marc, the more kilometres we do, the better we'll find ourselves, because it's also new for him. It's not that he is a co-driver who has years and years of experience, so step by step we both get better.

 

"This rally has been complicated in every way, because of the difficulties we have encountered every day, because of the little things that were coming out and were surprising us and we had to go through them. But no more complicated than I thought. I know the challenge, it is one of the most extreme things.

 

"Sometimes I have taken a bit of bittersweet taste in the stages, because you see that you have wasted time here and there and we have not been able to do any of the normal five days, clean of shocks, not even today.

 

"But these are things that happen to you and to everyone else and I also have to learn from it and always be [consistent]. To do these type of rallies is more to do 90% every day and not 100% and 50% peaks. So little by little, much to improve, but [I am] happy."

 

 

Alonso is the "bravest pilot you can imagine"

 

Alonso's team boss Glyn Hall has masterminded Alonso's cross-country switch from the Toyota team's base in South Africa. He has been impressed by how quickly Alonso has adapted to his new surroundings.

 

"He is the bravest pilot you can imagine for trying this," says Hall.

 

"It is an unknown discipline and it is the most complicated, even more than rallies, because it takes years to get used to it. Kimi [Raikkonen] tried it in rallies, but look at Loeb, the best driver in the world and he could not win here [in Morocco].

 

...

 

"Fernando arrived with zero experience on gravel and we have exposed him, especially since August, to all the different types of terrain that we can find. In addition, we limit the training to a maximum of four days at a time, because more of this might be too much.

 

"I invited him [Alonso] to my house when he came to South Africa, we had dinner and my children were around. He is a great human being.

 

"We are a small team and this is perfect for us. He is already one of us. And we are on top of the best driver of his generation, probably, as many people tell me, and we have checked it. He is one of the team. Everything is normal."

 

Alonso will now undergo a testing programme spread across two weeks, before he and the Toyota team head to Saudi Arabia to compete in a national event in the dunes where the next Dakar will be held, having moved from South America.

 

The Ula Rally or the Baja Sharqiya are both options for the squad. A decision on whether Alonso will contest the Dakar is expected before the end of October.

Edited by AustinF1, 10 October 2019 - 16:17.

Alonso: A lot of positives out of the Rally of Morocco https://www.grandpri...lly-of-morocco/

 

...

 

Alonso summed up his time in the desert, “I’m definitely taking a lot of positives out of the Rally of Morocco. It was a busy two weeks here testing and then, for my first international rally raid competition, straight into one of the toughest races on the calendar.

 

“I’m really happy to cross the finish line and it has been an eye-opening experience to see just how demanding it is for everyone in the team, the cars and the crews. We had some ups and downs in our performance but I think we demonstrated our potential in the Hilux. Most importantly, I’m learning from all the difficulties we faced during the rally.

 

“I want to congratulate Giniel, Alex and the Toyota Gazoo Racing team for the win. Giniel has been my biggest help, mentoring me during my training in Namibia and South Africa over the past few months,” added the former Formula 1 driver.

 

Team principal Glyn Hall said of the off-road rookie, “For Fernando, we knew it was a steep learning curve for him. If we had more time, I would’ve preferred for him to do more local races in South Africa before taking on something as formidable as the Rally of Morocco.

 

“The route is extremely tough and the roadbook wasn’t always precise. Despite the challenges he faced, I know he gained more invaluable experience here. He might not feel it yet, but with the decision on Dakar coming up, he will definitely be in a position to reap the benefits of everything he experienced in Morocco.”

 

...

Link please!

Just follow the spoor  of the Red Bulls!  

To me Dakar is no longer the real deal since it left it's origins....I do understand the reasons why...Still..

More preparations for Dakar:

Today, Toyota confirmed Alonso will take part in their Dakar efforts. 

Fernando Alonso says returning to Formula 1 in 2021 is a possibility if new rules result in closer racing

https://www.motorspo...-f1-return-2021

Edited by jstrains, 25 October 2019 - 03:31.

Alonso says he will prepare for Indy very well. 

So looking forward to his new result!

Dakar is a mad man's race. yo can almost run anywhere you want and it will certainly come across lots of bumps and holes.

It is a whole new world and it is not to be underestimated.

Certainly it is one of the most difficult rally.

I have been chewing a thoughtful lip over the Dakar stuff for some time and have just about had it with all this. What the hell is Alonso even doing? 

I swear to god, if the guy with the mustache who is the new Bernie really wants to make F1 better he should just lock all the F1 teams in a room until one of them cracks and gives him a decent drive again. F1 is so much the poorer without its truculent, saturnine prince making mad or insightful or just plain funny and bitchy comments, plus then waving his hand imperiously at his critics. And of course the poorer for not having one of the greatest drivers of all time piloting one of the cars.

I don't even believe him when he says his heart's really in all this stuff. Even the illustrative photo doesn't so much convey 'YES! this is HAPPENING' so much as 'Well, this is what my life is now, I guess.'

https://t.co/r3NIAY6KPc

Swallow your pride, Fernando! Ask F1 to take you back! 

I have been chewing a thoughtful lip over the Dakar stuff for some time and have just about had it with all this. What the hell is Alonso even doing?

I swear to god, if the guy with the mustache who is the new Bernie really wants to make F1 better he should just lock all the F1 teams in a room until one of them cracks and gives him a decent drive again. F1 is so much the poorer without its truculent, saturnine prince making mad or insightful or just plain funny and bitchy comments, plus then waving his hand imperiously at his critics. And of course the poorer for not having one of the greatest drivers of all time piloting one of the cars.

I don't even believe him when he says his heart's really in all this stuff. Even the illustrative photo doesn't so much convey 'YES! this is HAPPENING' so much as 'Well, this is what my life is now, I guess.'

Andrew Benson‏Verified account @andrewbensonf1 15h15 hours ago


More

BBC Sport - Fernando Alonso to compete in 2020 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia
https://t.co/r3NIAY6KPc



Swallow your pride, Fernando! Ask F1 to take you back!

Actions have consequences. Burning bridges and trolling aren't the best way to manage a career. Who knew?!

He can console himself with millions of $$$ and 2 championship trophies, but i think Formula 1 has moved on. 

Actions have consequences. Burning bridges and trolling aren't the best way to manage a career. Who knew?!

 

He can console himself with millions of $$$ and 2 championship trophies, but i think Formula 1 has moved on. 

More than you can say, it appears...

i think Formula 1 has moved on. 

And that is Formula One's loss.  Although the very idea of F1 'moving on', when it is so clearly stuck firmly in its ever deepening rut, is a bit ironic.

The Paris-Dakar rally can no longer go to Dakar because of Islamic fundamentalism.

So they move it to Saudi Arabia.

Actions have consequences. Burning bridges and trolling aren't the best way to manage a career. Who knew?!

 

He can console himself with millions of $$$ and 2 championship trophies, but i think Formula 1 has moved on. 

Heh ... we'll see.

We all know that's what you're rooting for.

 

 

 

Swallow your pride, Fernando! Ask F1 to take you back! 

lol, like that will work.

lol, like that will work.

Possibly not, but really, as a fellow fan, are you really feeling all this current direction?

Heh ... we'll see.

 

We all know that's what you're rooting for.

Nah, he just irritates me because in spite of that talent he screwed his career in Formula 1. And, I'm a Ferrari fan so I suffer enough already.

Possibly not, but really, as a fellow fan, are you really feeling all this current direction?

Hey Sophie...

I definitely understand what you mean, but I've really been thinking for quite a while that Alonso is looking very hard at a 2021 return to F1, so I'm just enjoying these side trips of Fernando's. 2021 just makes so much more sense than 2020. If he doesn't return in 2021, that's when I'll really think he's done with F1.

This article just reinforces that for me:
Fernando Alonso considering F1 return in 2021 https://www.motorspo...5PJaKUw.twitter

Edited by AustinF1, 26 October 2019 - 03:21.

Nah, he just irritates me because in spite of that talent he screwed his career in Formula 1. And, I'm a Ferrari fan so I suffer enough already.

As a Ferrari fan, you should be thankful he eased your suffering at least a little for a few years.

Possibly not, but really, as a fellow fan, are you really feeling all this current direction?

Yes, why not?, what other choice does he has?, stay in the sofa reading magazines?.

Don't get me wrong, I rather watch him in the podium in F1  than winning Dakar, LeMans and all that stuff but is not possible so....

Personally I think he is being smart with his post F1 career.

I have been chewing a thoughtful lip over the Dakar stuff for some time and have just about had it with all this. What the hell is Alonso even doing?

I swear to god, if the guy with the mustache who is the new Bernie really wants to make F1 better he should just lock all the F1 teams in a room until one of them cracks and gives him a decent drive again. F1 is so much the poorer without its truculent, saturnine prince making mad or insightful or just plain funny and bitchy comments, plus then waving his hand imperiously at his critics. And of course the poorer for not having one of the greatest drivers of all time piloting one of the cars.

I don't even believe him when he says his heart's really in all this stuff. Even the illustrative photo doesn't so much convey 'YES! this is HAPPENING' so much as 'Well, this is what my life is now, I guess.'

Andrew Benson‏Verified account @andrewbensonf1 15h15 hours ago


More

BBC Sport - Fernando Alonso to compete in 2020 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia
https://t.co/r3NIAY6KPc



Swallow your pride, Fernando! Ask F1 to take you back!

Nah, he just irritates me because in spite of that talent he screwed his career in Formula 1

Yeah, 32 GP wins and two WDCs.  What a loser!

The Paris-Dakar rally can no longer go to Dakar because of Islamic fundamentalism.

 

So they move it to Saudi Arabia.

While African Eco Race does it. 

They should just be completely honest about it - it's all about the money.

Well SophieB I read it differently, I think he’s doing everything he can to secure a seat in F1 while still keeping his name in the motorsport world. He’d drop all of this in a heart beat as soon as a competitive F1 seat becomes available to him.

Yeah, I do too, and tbh I get the feeling he may even have something in the works.

Yeah, I do too, and tbh I get the feeling he may even have something in the works.

Whatever...Should Alonso  return to the F1 fray  he will be onto to a hiding to nothing  by young guns  the likes of Le Clerc and Versterpen..not to mention Hamilton who already had the measure of him all those years ago... and I'd imagine Sainz too! He is a has been if you ask me... And what competitive team would risk him?

Whatever...Should Alonso  return to the F1 fray  he will be onto to a hiding to nothing  by young guns  the likes of Le Clerc and Versterpen..not to mention Hamilton who already had the measure of him all those years ago... and I'd imagine Sainz too! He is a has been if you ask me...

Yeah! And Bottas, and Vettel, and Albon, and Lando, and, and, and ...

lmao.

Yeah! And Bottas, and Vettel, and Albon, and Lando, and, and, and ...

 

lmao.

Sorry? What about Bottas and Vettel and Albon and Lando ...and? What about them?  You really think Toto would ditch Bottas to draft in Alonso?   And Ferrari would ditch Vettel for him too? ..As for Alonso back @ Maclaren..yeah I guess  you probably on the money. ..However=> Red Bull-HONDA!...dream on LOL!

Edited by Fatgadget, 27 October 2019 - 00:04.

Sorry? What about Bottas and Vettel and Albon and Lando ...and? What about them?  You really think Toto would ditch Bottas to draft in Alonso?   And Ferrari would ditch Vettel for him too? ..As for Alonso back @ Maclaren..yeah I guess  you probably on the money. ..As for Red Bull-HONDA!...dream on LOL!

I didn't say any of that. I'm not the one making predictions here. You are. According to you, Alonso would suck and pretty much everyone would be quicker than him, so why not include those other guys I brought up as well?

And most people realize Toto won't replace Bottas with Alonso, but most people also understand the real reason why - because Merc wants an excellent wingman in that seat, not another elite driver.

Oh, and what does "return to the F1 fray  he will be onto to a hiding to nothing  by young guns" mean? Is that some kind of slang I've never seen?

Edited by AustinF1, 27 October 2019 - 00:07.

I didn't say any of that. I'm not the one making predictions here. You are. According to you, Alonso would suck and pretty much everyone would be quicker than him, so why not include those other guys I brought up as well?

 

And most people realize Toto won't replace Bottas with Alonso, but most people also understand the real reason why - because Merc wants an excellent wingman in that seat, not another elite driver.

 

Oh, and what does "return to the F1 fray  he will be onto to a hiding to nothing  by young guns" mean? Is that some kind of slang I've never seen?

Stop spinning what Im saying. I am simply saying No current top team will entertain  Alonso. Mercedes. No. Ferrari.No. Red Bull. No. In which case ? The end.

While African Eco Race does it. 

 

They should just be completely honest about it - it's all about the money.

Since when was it not about Money?..Be it  how much you spend  and should everything align - the untold you might earn?

Stop spinning what Im saying. I am simply saying No current top team will entertain  Alonso. Mercedes. No. Ferrari.No. Red Bull. No. In which case ? The end.

Oh my. If anyone here is spinning what you said, it's you. You said nothing of the sort in the original post that I quoted:

"Whatever...Should Alonso  return to the F1 fray  he will be onto to a hiding to nothing  by young guns  the likes of Le Clerc and Versterpen..not to mention Hamilton who already had the measure of him all those years ago... and I'd imagine Sainz too! He is a has been if you ask me... And what competitive team would risk him?"

You plainly said (minus the utterly unintelligible bit) that he's past it and would be beaten by all those guys. Own it, and don't act so shocked when you encounter some resistance when you start thread****ting & trying to stir **** up in a thread full of Alonso fans just trying to enjoy what he's doing. 

Edited by AustinF1, 27 October 2019 - 00:35.

Oh, and what does "return to the F1 fray  he will be onto to a hiding to nothing  by young guns" mean? Is that some kind of slang I've never seen?

The kids will beat his pants off.  That’s what it means.  Time to put a fork in Fred’s F1 career.  It’s done...

As for Dakar if he’s still in it after the mid race rest day that will be a great accomplishment.  Were he to finish all stages I would consider that a win for him regardless of how far down he is.  For a rookie just to finish in the car class is a big deal.  Then perhaps he could give the T4.2 class a try in 2021 since he’ll never get a good ride in F1 again.

The kids will beat his pants off.  That’s what it means.  Time to put a fork in Fred’s F1 career.  It’s done...

 

As for Dakar if he’s still in it after the mid race rest day that will be a great accomplishment.  Were he to finish all stages I would consider that a win for him regardless of how far down he is.  For a rookie just to finish in the car class is a big deal.  Then perhaps he could give the T4.2 class a try in 2021 since he’ll never get a good ride in F1 again.

LOL at more predictions from you.

I don't know if Fernando will be back in F1 ... just like you don't. You're always soooo certain & arrogant about it though, even when you're completely wrong.

In fact, you saying it won't happen makes me feel that much better about the chances he'll return...

Edited by AustinF1, 27 October 2019 - 00:52.

The Paris-Dakar rally can no longer go to Dakar because of Islamic fundamentalism.

 

So they move it to Saudi Arabia.

Big irony for sure.  The big reason was that one fundamentalist country didn’t have a strong enough military to keep the marauding types from kidnapping and/or killing participants.  Whereas in Saudi Arabia the only ones that could get away with that would be the government.  So I guess they’re safe.  And they paid a ton of dough to host the event. 

LOL at more predictions from you.

 

I don't know if Fernando will be back in F1 ... just like you don't. You're always soooo certain & arrogant about it though, even when you're completely wrong.

 

In fact, you saying it won't happen makes me feel better about his chances...

Fred’s time in F1...