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Ex-Formula One champion Fernando Alonso has completed a two-day evaluation test of a Toyota Hilux with a difference in the Kalahari Desert.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing ace, who currently leads the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) drivers’ standings alongside team-mates Sébastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima, spent two days learning the specific demands of rally-raid driving for the first time.
The Toyota Hilux he drove, which won the 2019 Dakar Rally in the hands of Nasser Al Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel, is powered by a 5.0-litre V8 engine that produces 380hp and 620Nm of torque.
“I followed the Dakar and thanks to Toyota Gazoo Racing I had the opportunity to come to South Africa to test the Dakar-winning Hilux,” said Fernando. “I have tested different series and different cars these past couple of years and this was a great chance.
“It has been fun; certainly different to what I am used to driving, but very interesting. We built up speed slowly, learning lap after lap. It’s not easy to read the bumps and to know how much speed to carry but I became more confident each time.
“The Hilux feels great; it has good grip and balance, lots of power and impressive braking. It felt incredible to drive this car.”
Organised by Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa, Alonso tackled two routes in the Kalahari Desert with expert guidance from Giniel de Villiers, a former Dakar winner.
Glyn Hall, Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa team principal, added: “It has been a fantastic experience for the team to work with a driver of Fernando’s calibre. It’s easy to see why he has enjoyed so much success in circuit racing; he was very well prepared for this test and made a huge effort to learn as much as possible in the two days.
“Rally raid is a totally different discipline compared to circuit racing but Fernando made impressive progress and looked like he had a lot of fun in the process. I am proud that he chose to test a Toyota Hilux in South Africa and I hope it was a worthwhile experience for him.”
