Paris (AFP)

General rehearsal: former Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso, in search of success in the legendary races of motor sport, continues his preparation for the Dakar by participating in the Rally of Morocco from Saturday to Wednesday.

The Spaniard, co-driven by his compatriot Marc Coma, five times winner of the Dakar in motorbikes, former sports director of the most famous rally-raids and making his debut in the passenger seat, aligns himself behind the wheel of a Toyota.

"In the team, the atmosphere is the collaboration between drivers, co-drivers, management, engineers and mechanics," said Alonso in a statement, coached by his prestigious teammates Nasser al-Attiyah and Giniel de Villiers. "Knowing I'm in good hands gives me a lot of confidence."

"Marc and I are considering the Rally of Morocco as additional tests: finishing the race would allow us to gain in mileage and experience," he says, "but that remains a race, so I have a little bit of a sense of humor. I will definitely compare my performance to that of my experienced teammates and the rest of the pack to understand how much we have to push in races like this as we aim for the Dakar. "

After several test sessions, the so-called "bull of Asturias" participated in mid-September in his first off-road rally, the Lichtenburg 400, in South Africa.

An experience that allowed him to discover the risks and hazards of the rally-raid, with barrels and a broken windshield following a shock with a bird!

It is already with the Japanese manufacturer that the Spaniard has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2018 and 2019, as well as the title of World Endurance Champion in 2018/2019. A two-time world champion in F1 in 2005 and 2006, he failed to win the Indianapolis 500 in two attempts in 2017 and 2019.

Five stages are on the agenda of the Rally of Morocco, which traces a loop south of Fez with Erfoud epicenter, with a total of 2596 kilometers to swallow, including 1868 special stages.

Alonso will be able to face the size of the discipline that are the French Stéphane Péterhansel (Mini), thirteen times winner of the Dakar in motorcycle and car, the Qatari al-Attiyah (Toyota), triple winner, or the Spaniard Carlos Sainz (Mini), double winner.

After North Africa and South America, the Dakar-2020 will be run for the first time in Saudi Arabia in January.

© 2019 AFP