Fernando Alonso to race in Daytona 24 Hours

Spanish Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso (McLaren-Honda) has said that he is looking forward to competing in January's Daytona 24-hour race.

The two-time F1 champion has set a goal of winning motorsport's triple crown: the Monaco Grand Prix, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Indianapolis 500, reports Efe.

Alonso, 36, took part in the 2016 Indy 500 in May and was in a position to make a credible bid for victory until engine failure forced him to retire from the race with just 21 laps left.

"After the great time I had during the month of May for the Indy 500, I am looking forward to taking part in another legendary race that will bring back all those amazing sensations that US fans gave me," the Spaniard told reporters at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez during preparations for Sunday's Mexican Grand Prix.

Alonso's partner for the January 27-28 Daytona 24 Hours will be 17-year-old British driver Lando Norris.

The two men will race in the colours of United Autosports, owned by Zak Brown, team principal of the McLaren F1 team.

Noting that Daytona 24 coincides with a break in the F1 schedule, Alonso said that he saw the US race as a chance to gain experience in endurance racing.

"It's not part of the triple crown but, as I have always said, my aim is to be a complete driver and this experience will help me in the preparation for any other endurance race I might take part in," the Spanish driver added.

--IANS

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