Fernando Alonso is yet to decide if he will give the Dakar Rally another shot, but if he did then he would come back with the intention to win.
The two-time Formula 1 World Champion has continued his exploits outside of the series by taking on the grueling near two-week Dakar Rally event.
But despite it being completely new territory, Alonso did himself proud by finishing 13th overall alongside co-driver Marc Coma for Toyota Gazoo Racing.
The high point came in stage eight where he finished runner-up, tough there were also lows to deal with such as his big crash which saw him overturn twice down a dune during stage 10.
Overall though the Spaniard said he “exceeded” his expectations for the event, but if he came back in the future, those expectations would be to win.
“I have felt competitive almost every day,” said Alonso at Friday’s finish at Qiddiya.
“On this last stage, we had a puncture, we caught Yazeed [Al Rajhi] and we still finished fourth, so I think we would have been in with a shot at winning the stage.
“If I decide to enter the Dakar again, it would be with high expectations.
“I don’t want to think about it now. I’m happy with how it went.
“Logically, after this first experience, and having been competitive, if I race in the future, I’ll try to do it to win, to add an important victory to my career.
“But there’s time for that [decision]. I would have to have a more precise and detailed preparation and have the best equipment.
“If you like racing, spending holidays in a car is a good option. We’ll see.”
Alonso confirmed that he has the “idea” of perhaps returning to F1 in 2021, but before that he will attempt to qualify for a second Indy500 in May.
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