Alonso makes endurance car test debut in Bahrain

McLaren’s Fernando Alonso got his first taste of a top-class World Endurance Championship (WEC) car on Sunday when he took part in the series’ rookie test in Bahrain with Toyota.

Alonso, who has interest in the contesting the Le Mans 24 Hours race, completed 113 laps of the Bahrain International Circuit at the wheel of Toyota’s state-of-the-art hybrid LMP1 car, a total of 611 km.

“It was a great day,” said the Spaniard. “Testing an LMP1 car is always a nice thing for any racing driver because these cars are amazing to drive.

“They are very consistent throughout a stint which is a positive thing. I have wanted to test a car like this for a long time now and today I could achieve that so I am happy.”

Alonso had prepared for his test by visiting Toyota’s German factory in Cologne earlier in the week for a seat fitting and a simulator session.

He is already set to contest his first-ever endurance event next January, when he will participate in the famous Daytona 24 Hours sportscar race in Florida.