Fernando Alonso to Tackle Dakar Rally with Aston Martin

Former Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso has officially announced that he will be taking on the 2027 Dakar Rally, driving the Aston Martin Rally1 car. The decision, confirmed by Motorsport.com and detailed in an Autosport feature, comes after months of speculation about Alonso’s future in Formula One.

Alonso’s move to rallying marks a significant shift from the high‑speed circuits of F1 to the grueling, multi‑stage desert race that has become the pinnacle of off‑road motorsport. The 2027 Dakar will run from the French city of Paris to Dakar, Senegal, covering roughly 10,000 kilometres of dunes, mud, and rocky terrain. The Aston Martin Rally1 car, built to the latest FIA Rally1 specifications, will give Alonso a competitive platform to test his skills against the world’s best rally drivers.

While Alonso has not yet confirmed a full‑time rallying career, the announcement signals a new chapter for the 44‑year‑old. He is reportedly training with the Aston Martin rally team and has expressed enthusiasm for the challenge, noting that the Dakar’s unpredictability and endurance demand a different kind of racing mindset than F1’s sprint format. The move also follows a growing trend of high‑profile drivers exploring cross‑disciplinary opportunities, such as Lewis Hamilton’s brief stint in the 2022 Dakar and the increasing crossover between circuit and rally racing.

For Indian fans, the 2027 Dakar will be available to watch live on FanCode and other streaming platforms, with the event’s schedule released in the coming months. The race will start on 9 January 2027, and the first stage will be broadcast in Indian Standard Time (IST) at 7 pm, giving viewers a chance to follow Alonso’s progress from start to finish. The rally will also feature commentary in Hindi, making it accessible to a wider audience across the country.

Source: Motorsport.com & Autosport