Alonso will race at Le Mans in 2018

[DanielSan]

Europa1 said:

I have mixed feelings about Alonso - he can come across as very engaging with a good sense of humour, is clearly a sublime driver, yet has the reputation of being an awkward sod/diva.

However, I take my hat off to him for doing this (and to McLaren for letting him do it).

I think diva Alonso was his younger self to be honest, the last few seasons he seems to have mellowed and started to enjoy his racing.

[thegreenhell]

//j17 said:

Vocal Minority said:

99dndd said:

And even if the season did run over 1 year, he wouldn't be driver's champion as the driver he shares with would get the points for Fuji.

A very good point...

Assuming it completes the race in a points-scoring position/they didn't rest any of the other drivers at other races, swapping AD back in to the car...

A little conspiracy theory I know but what would get better PR for Toyota - Buemi and Nakajima as world champs. of Buemi, Nakajima and Alonso...?

That may not be necessary afterall:

Fuji requests WEC date change to accommodate Alonso

[Vaud]

thegreenhell said:

That may not be necessary afterall:

Fuji requests WEC date change to accommodate Alonso

That’s pretty cool of Toyota to request that.

[CraigyMc]

Vaud said:

thegreenhell said:

That may not be necessary afterall:

Fuji requests WEC date change to accommodate Alonso

That’s pretty cool of Toyota to request that.

Interesting that it's Fuji asking for it (given that Toyota own the Fuji track).

[Vocal Minority]

CraigyMc said:

Vaud said:

thegreenhell said:

That may not be necessary afterall:

Fuji requests WEC date change to accommodate Alonso

That’s pretty cool of Toyota to request that.

Interesting that it's Fuji asking for it (given that Toyota own the Fuji track).

It’s not about competitiveness - it’s about bums on seats and that they think Alonso will attract them!

I’d imagine Toyota are prohibited from asking - and besides given the logistics etc it’s all round easier for Fuji to ask - the circuit managers have an equally vested interest

[thatguy11]

ash73 said:

Can't wait to see him at Le Mans. Shame he's not having another crack at Indy, imagine if he won both in the same season! Fingers crossed for a competitive 2018 McLaren.

If he's serious about going after the triple crown, he'll definitely have another go at Indy at some point

[thegreenhell]

Fuji WEC date change confirmed

https://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/fuji-round-mov...

[Vocal Minority]

And many of his colleagues in the Series are NOT happy as it now clashes with Petit Le Mans, which many are contracted to race in

[Stig]

joema said:

TartanPaint said:

Poor Ant. Sounds like he's got a raw deal there, which I don't think he really deserves.

My excitement about Fred has waned a bit learning this. I figured Lopez would have made way

This. massively.

But Ant is now the 'old man' of the team (relatively speaking). That said I'd rather see him in the seat than Lopez (even if he's a great bloke, I had the pleasure of working with him and Mike Conway recently). May have been down to money/contracts at the end of the day.

[American iv]

Vocal Minority said:

And many of his colleagues in the Series are NOT happy as it now clashes with Petit Le Mans, which many are contracted to race in

Jenson Button isn't a fan: https://twitter.com/JensonButton/status/9621262803...

twitter said:

To recap: Round 7 of the #SuperGT championship was moved to prevent a clash with the 6h Fuji, which has now moved back a week and created another clash with Super GT.

[BraveSirRobin]

Vocal Minority said:

And many of his colleagues in the Series are NOT happy as it now clashes with Petit Le Mans, which many are contracted to race in

This ^^^
If Toyota want Alonso that badly for Fuji couldn't he have just stood down from F1 for one race? Doesn't seem right to screw the PLM over just for him.

[Vaud]

BraveSirRobin said:

This ^^^
If Toyota want Alonso that badly for Fuji couldn't he have just stood down from F1 for one race? Doesn't seem right to screw the PLM over just for him.

Looks like he committed to McLaren for all races.

[rev-erend]

It will be interesting to see how Alonso gets on driving at Le Mans.

Many F1 drivers have been very fast but its often the slightly slower driver pairig that win due to consistency and just staying out of trouble with the unpredictable Le Mans slower cars.

[Gad-Westy]

rev-erend said:

It will be interesting to see how Alonso gets on driving at Le Mans.

Many F1 drivers have been very fast but its often the slightly slower driver pairig that win due to consistency and just staying out of trouble with the unpredictable Le Mans slower cars.

I think if Toyota can get a car to the finish without any major hiccups, they'll win. Looking at the 2018 line up, they're surely not going to be challenged for outright pace. Trouble is, they (and many others) aren't blessed with much luck at LM and even if Toyota does win it, there is absolutely no guarantee it will be Alonso's. I love the 24h but it's so damn cruel and unpredictable.

Anyway, great to see this. WEC is looking in need of a bit of publicity right now. Hopefully this gets it a few more fans. Would love to see JB have a stab at it one of these days too.

[Vocal Minority]

Vaud said:

BraveSirRobin said:

This ^^^
If Toyota want Alonso that badly for Fuji couldn't he have just stood down from F1 for one race? Doesn't seem right to screw the PLM over just for him.

Looks like he committed to McLaren for all races.

I think it was Fuji*, not Toyota the team, that requested the change - presumably because they think Alonso would be worth an additional 20% bums on seats.

• yes, I know Toyota own the place, but anyone with experience of working in big corporations knows that Fuji and Toyota the team will essentially be separate companies who's non-exec chairmen answer to some board somewhere based purely on their turnover. Ockham's razor and all that.

With regards to Toyota's pace, the rules have been deliberately skewed to give the new private LMP1s potentially even the edge in terms of outright pace - and Toyota have had their fuel allowance cut b6y about 20% so will be doing 11 lap stints, not 14 at la Sarthe (so 7-8 pitstops more over the distance).

The proof of the pudding will be Spa of course - but on paper the FIA/ACO are making as much a race of it as they can.

[Stan the Bat]

Europa1 said:

I have mixed feelings about Alonso - he can come across as very engaging with a good sense of humour, is clearly a sublime driver, yet has the reputation of being an awkward sod/diva.

However, I take my hat off to him for doing this (and to McLaren for letting him do it).

I think he has mellowed a bit these days. I might be wrong, just a thought.