Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso reveals ambitious motorsport goals

Having already conquered the Monaco Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Indy 500 remains the final piece for Alonso to achieve the coveted Triple Crown.

Alonso's foray into the Indianapolis 500 occurred in 2017 and 2019, with a notable absence in 2018 when he failed to qualify. His most recent attempt saw him finish 21st with Arrow McLaren.

Despite this, Alonso has hinted that a return to the Indy 500 is unlikely in the near future. Instead, his focus is shifting towards other challenges, particularly the Dakar Rally.

In 2020, Alonso competed in the Dakar Rally for Toyota and finished 13th. Reflecting on his ambitions, Alonso stated, "There are always things to be achieved. Formula 1 is my focus right now. I would love to win the Formula One World Championship with Aston Martin, it would be the highlight of my career and probably my life."

Alonso's aspiration to win the Dakar Rally remains strong. He elaborated, "Winning the Dakar Rally is still on the wishlist. The Indy 500, of course, but I'm not sure if I will do it again in the future, but Dakar I will. It will be unprecedented to win the Formula 1 World Championship, Dakar Rally, and 24 Hours of Le Mans."

The two-time Formula 1 World Champion has always been known for his relentless pursuit of improvement. "It all comes back to the same thing: I always want to improve, to become better is the main motivator throughout my career. I am never happy with the position I am in. I want to be better tomorrow, and I want to be better next week and next month. This is what has kept me driving for so long."

Alonso's career is distinguished not only by his F1 successes but also by his ventures into diverse racing disciplines. After his tenure with McLaren, he explored the Dakar Rally, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Indianapolis 500, each presenting unique challenges.

Despite his extensive experience, Alonso approaches new categories with a fresh mindset. "The way that you have to approach a new discipline like Indy 500 or endurance racing is by starting from zero. You have to start from scratch because what you learn in F1 is not applicable in terms of a driving style for something like the Indy 500, endurance racing, or off-road rally."

Alonso emphasised the importance of humility in adapting to new challenges: "When you are well established in F1, or any sport, it's easy to fall into the trap of not improving or learning new things because you think that you know everything already.

"You have to be humble in your approach to a new series and when you are, it's like being a beginner or rookie again: you are ready to absorb all the information that the specialists in that series are giving to you."

As the Formula 1 season resumes following the summer break, the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort on August 25 will be the next significant event in the F1 calendar, marking a crucial phase in the championship race.