Alonso relishes “going out of comfort zone” at Daytona

Fernando Alonso is gearing up for the Roar before the 24 test at Daytona and returning to action with United Autosports ahead of his Rolex 24 race debut later this month.

The two-time Formula 1 world champion is part of a star-studded driver line-up for the reigning European LMP3 champions which also includes fellow McLaren driver Lando Norris plus ex-F1 drivers Paul di Resta and Bruno Senna.

Alonso, who joins up with the British-American squad this weekend for the official test before the iconic endurance race at Daytona, is part of the #23 United Autosports Ligier JS P217 crew alongside co-drivers Norris and Phil Hanson. In the sister car Senna and di Resta team up with Will Owen and Hugo de Sadeleer in the #32 Ligier.

Having enjoyed an initial shakedown test with the team in November at Aragon, Alonso will be eager to familiarise himself with the Daytona track and running in traffic in preparation for his endurance race debut.

“Going out of my comfort zone by taking part in such an iconic race as the Daytona 24 Hours is just amazing. I am looking forward to racing for United Autosports, the reigning European LMP3 Champions. At the test we had in Spain in November, everyone made me feel extremely welcome and part of the family and I’m happy to be spending more time with the team and my team-mates in a few days, at the ROAR.

“I just cannot wait to jump in the car again and drive on the famous oval. In the last couple of months I have been spending time watching several Daytona 24 Hours, which made me even keener to go out there and try myself. It’s going to be fun.”

Having competed in his maiden Indianapolis 500 last year, Alonso is thrilled by the prospect of returning stateside to take part in a second iconic US race inside 12 months.

“It’s a true pleasure to go back racing in the States, in front of the US fans,” Alonso said. “In less than a year I will have competed in two legendary races, which makes me very proud. I have always wanted to challenge myself in other categories of motorsport, as this is what you need to become a better driver.

The Roar before the 24 test begins on Friday 5^th January before further test sessions on Saturday and Sunday which is rounded out by a 15-minute qualifying session on Sunday afternoon to determined the grid and garage layouts.