Alonso coy on Toyota rumours, admits Bahrain test a 'possibility'

Fernando Alonso remained coy on his chances of making his debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans next June with Toyota following a report that a deal has been signed and he will test the Japanese manufacturer's LMP1 car in Bahrain next week.

Alonso has made no secret of his desire to race at Le Mans in the near future, and will make his sports car debut in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January as preparation for a possible debut at the Circuit de la Sarthe in June.

Reports emerged last week strongly linking Alonso with a maiden LMP1 test with Toyota in Bahrain next Sunday following the FIA World Endurance Championship's final round, with a number of rookies set to feature in the running at the Bahrain International Circuit.

BBC Sport reported on Friday that Alonso's Le Mans deal with Toyota had been finalised, with talks ongoing regarding the remainder of the WEC campaign that has just one race clash with F1's 2018 calendar.

"Regarding Le Mans, nothing changed between yesterday and today, because I’m here in Brazil, so nothing will happen in the next few days," Alonso said in response after practice.

"There’s nothing to comment. As I said yesterday, testing in Bahrain with Toyota is a possibility but there is nothing yet.

"I’m racing every weekend anyway, either behind the wheel in a go-kart, I did the Indy 500, I worked on the simulator for that race, I went to their Alabama race, so racing is my life and what I love doing."

Toyota has already confirmed that existing driver Mike Conway and LMP2 racer Thomas Laurent will test its TS050 Hybrid LMP1 car in Bahrain next Sunday, but left one slot free in its test line-up that looks set to be snapped up by Alonso.