Alonso to combine F1 and WEC

[René]

You probably all read the news today but I still think it is worthwhile mentioning it here again. Fernando Alonso will compete in the World Endurance Championship including Le Mans for Toyota. He will only miss one race at Fuji on October 21 because it clashes with the United States Grand Prix.

I think this is a wonderful development and I really hope this is a positive step back to a time when F1 drivers raced regularly in different classes. Way to go Fernando and McLaren for giving him the freedom to do this. Great stuff.

[Jamie]

Wholeheartedly agree René, this is great news and I hope it clears the way for F1 drivers to compete elsewhere from time to time 👍

[René]

There was a time when Jacky Ickx raced this on one sunday...



...and this the following sunday. How cool.

[mikael]

I agree - it's very exciting, and it would be good if other F1 drivers follow his example and become "all-purpose drivers", like so many were in the 1960's and 70's.

But not everyone agree. This is an article from grandprix.com:


Alonso's sports car distraction a mistake says Webber

Fernando Alonso is making "a mistake" by trying to combine F1 with endurance sports cars.

That is the claim of his former rival and ongoing friend Mark Webber, after Alonso completed a week of testing in Daytona ahead of his prototype racing debut this month.

The Spaniard is using Daytona to see if he wants to bid for Le Mans victory later this year, but Webber - who switched full-time to sports cars after his F1 career but is now retired - thinks Alonso is making a mistake.

Asked if he backs Alonso's decision to divide his energy between F1 and sports cars, Webber told Italy's Automoto: "No, it's a mistake.

"They are two totally different things that both absorb a lot of mental energy. I think if you're doing F1 you can't afford distractions -- it (F1) is so specific that it doesn't allow room," he added.

However, a couple of years ago Nico Hulkenberg showed that it is possible to even win Le Mans during a full-time F1 season.

But Webber said: "That was with a second-rate team in F1. The pressures are different.

"He was also with the top Le Mans team and that simplified things a lot."

Australian Webber thinks Alonso could even win Daytona this month, but questions the point of such an exercise.

"If he wins it would be amazing. He's a driver with talent unlike almost anyone else in the world. It would be fantastic, but it will not give him anything," he said."

Source:
www.grandprix.com/ns/ns38004.html

[Carl]

Mikael,

Webber may be right, but Alonso outqualified the next fastest LMP2 car at Daytona by a full second. Not bad for being distracted. A distraction for some drivers may be another's full cup. However, a full season is another story, so time will tell.

If McLaren regains previous levels of competitive speed, chances are Alonso has an escape clause in his endurance contract.

Cheers, Carl

[charleselan]

Don't hold your breath gentlemen, it isn't going to be the precursor to others doing it, especially not with the overcrowded F1 calendar. It is merely an outlet to massage the ego of El Teflon, and to some extent one Chubby Brown.

[René]

Jan 31, 2018 20:13:48 GMT charleselan said:

Don't hold your breath gentlemen, it isn't going to be the precursor to others doing it, especially not with the overcrowded F1 calendar. It is merely an outlet to massage the ego of El Teflon, and to some extent one Chubby Brown.

You're probably right but I still like the fact they are going to do it. In the old 'Jacky Ickx' days there were far less races so it made more sense. But still... how about an F2 race with Hamilton, Vettel, Verstappen and Alonso competing against the F2 guys? Ah, just dreaming.

El Teflon & Chubby Brown, he he, sounds like a comic book!

[Carl]

Rene,

You accurately wrote: "El Teflon & Chubby Brown, he he, sounds like a comic book!"

Hasn't the once proudly dominant Team McLaren seemed like one in recent years?

Add Ron Dennis and you have the missing third stooge.

"Oh, a wise guy, eh? nyuk, nyuk, nyuk." -Curly Joe Howard    


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