Toyota confirms Alonso onslaught on 2020 Dakar

©Toyota

Toyota has confirmed that Fernando Alonso will be spending the start of the new year navigating the dunes and sandy trails of the 2020 Dakar rally raid in Saudi Arabia.

The two-time F1 world champion will take part in the legendary event that will take place next year from January 5 to 17, onboard a Toyota Gazoo Racing Hilux 4x4 with Marc Coma as his navigator.

Toyota's four-car strong works team which was unveiled on Thursday in Tarragona will also include defending champion Nasser Al-Attiyah, Giniel de Villiers and Bernhard ten Brinke.

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Alonso's participation in the grueling rally was never really in doubt once the Spaniard committed to an extensive preparation programme that included the Lichtenburg 400 in South Africa and the Marocco Rally earlier this month which the former McLaren driver finished 26th after a troubled run.

Alonso will test for Toyota in Tarragona on Friday and Saturday before taking part in the Ula Neom Rally in Saudi Arabia on November 4-9.

©Toyota

The 38-year-old acknowledged that he still has a lot to learn about the world of rally raid.

"In my case, reading the terrain, the obstacles and how to pass through them," Alonso told Motorsport.com.

"The dunes too, I have to have a bit more rhythm, more speed and never get stuck.

"With Marc, the more kilometers we do, the better we will do, because it is also new for him.

"It is not as if he is a co-driver with many years of experience. So little by little, between the two of us, we are improving."

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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.