Fernando Alonso will race at Daytona in January, teaming up with Kamui Kobayashi, Jordan Taylor & Renger van der Zande.
Fresh off the back of his day of fun in Jimmie Johnson’s NASCAR on Monday, Fernando Alonso’s links with the United States racing scene continue to strengthen. He will be racing in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January, teaming up with his Toyota Gazoo Racing WEC teammate Kamui Kobayashi, as well as full timers Jordan Taylor & Renger van der Zande. They’ll be driving for Wayne Taylor’s racing outfit.
Alonso took part in the 2018 race as well, finishing P13 with United Autosports as the team struggled with persistent tyre issues. However, the No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac that he and Kobayashi will be driving is generally competitive at the Daytona race, finishing on the podium every year between 2013 & 2017, winning the event in 2017.
“I am very happy about joining the Konica Minolta Cadillac team and Wayne Taylor Racing to race together at the Rolex 24 At Daytona,” said Alonso.
“This is undoubtedly one of the greatest races in American and world motorsport. Returning to the United States is always special. The atmosphere created by the fans is unique throughout an incredible weekend. I really hope to fight for the win, as well as having fun and putting a smile on the fans’ faces. I made my debut last year both in endurance races and with these sportscar prototypes, as well as on this track. I was left wanting much more after a brake issue ended our hopes of stepping on the podium. After an intense year in which I’ve competed in both Formula One and the WEC, I’m really looking forward to 2019 and attempting to conquer one of the most important races in the world. I’m brimming with hunger and desire and I can’t wait for the first race of next season.”
Kobayashi, who is now one of the WEC’s leading drivers after leaving Formula 1 behind in 2014, has never raced in any of the United States’ star events, but says he’s looking forward to getting stuck in alongside Alonso: “First of all, I would like to thank the Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R team and Wayne Taylor for giving me this wonderful opportunity to race at the historic Daytona 24-hour. It is one of the most popular endurance races and I am so excited to have my Daytona debut with the 2017-winning team. This will also be my first race in the U.S. and I’m really looking forward to having a good race with the Konica Minolta Cadillac team.”
