Fernando Alonso now shares what his plans are for after Formula 1

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Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso has shared his ambitions to win the Dakar Rally when he finishes driving in Formula 1.

Alonso was the latest guest on the High Performance Podcast and spoke to Jake Humphrey about his racing career.

The 42-year-old driver is enjoying a renaissance in F1 this season.

At the beginning of the year, the two-time World Champion looked like Red Bull’s closest rival.

He’s also shown up teammate Lance Stroll throughout the campaign.

However, the car’s performances have dropped off slightly in the past few races, with McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes closing the gap.

He’ll be delighted to have already recorded six podiums this year, although even at his peak he couldn’t stop Red Bull’s 100% winning record.

Alonso’s Aston Martin contract runs until the end of 2024, meaning he has at least one more season in F1.

However, Alonso has said that his ambition is to one day win the Dakar Rally, even if it takes a decade to do.

That suggests that even if he ends his F1 career at the end of next year, he plans to race into his 50s to achieve his ultimate goal.

Alonso shares Dakar Rally dream

Asked about what he wants to do going forward in his career, Alonso said: “I will try 99% Dakar again. It’s not that the third world title is less of a priority, it is a priority.

“But winning Dakar one day, it is a high priority for me as well.

“I will maybe have to attempt that race eight, ten years or whatever until one day maybe I get lucky and I can fight for the win.

“But, if I win in Formula 1, in endurance racing and in Dakar, that will feel for something special as a driver and as a person.

“So, those kinds of challenges are in my head at the moment.”

Alonso has already competed in the Dakar Rally once, taking part in the 2020 edition of the event.

He finished second in the eighth stage of the 12-event competition but ultimately finished 13^th in his category.

The champion that year was the father of current Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, who proved to Alonso that age is just a number.

The ambitious 42-year-old doesn’t appear to be in any rush to hang up his racing gloves.

Despite his Dakar Rally ambitions, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him extend his time in F1 past 2024.