Alonso and Toyota kick start preparations for 2020 Dakar

©Toyota

Fernando Alonso will most likely contest the 2020 Dakar rally raid with Toyota Gazoo Racing, with preparations for the legendary event set to kick off next week in Namibia.

The two-time F1 world champion tested a Toyota Hilux for two days in the Kalahari desert back in March, setting in motion a rally raid collaboration between Alonso and the Japanese manufacturer that will follow the pair's successful association in the World Endurance Championship.

"I’m really excited to continue my adventure with Toyota Gazoo Racing," Alonso said.

"Together we have achieved so much since I first drove a Toyota in November 2017, with our two consecutive wins at Le Mans, the World Endurance Championship for the team and a drivers’ title with my teammates Sebastien [Buemi] and Kazuki [Nakajima].

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"I got a taste of off-road rallying earlier this year and it left me with a good feeling that I want to prolong.

"I knew it would be a totally different experience with a steep learning curve but the Hilux just felt great; it gave me so much confidence so quickly and I was improving loop after loop.

"I’m really looking forward to the next few months of training, getting to know the Hilux and working with the team.

"I’ve always maintained I want to pursue new challenges in different disciplines and I’m at a great team to do that."

Alonso and Toyota's preparations will start as soon as next week in Namibia with Gazoo South Africa which handles Toyota's Dakar operation.

Additional tests will take place in the coming months in Africa, Europe and the Middle-East while Alonso's preparations will also include a Dakar warm-up participation in the Rally Morocco in early October.

The two-time Le Mans winner's co-driver for the Dakar is expected to be Marc Coma, a five-time winner of the legendary event in the motorcycle category with KTM.

After a decade of exploring South America, the Dakar's 30th edition will journey for the very first time through the landscapes of Saudi Arabia.

The event's trails will begin in Jeddah on January 5th and conclude on January 17th in Al Qiddiya.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.