The Qatari pilot himself released the news in a statement, confirming that the test will take place right after his country’s own rally which is scheduled between the 17th until the 22nd of April.

The two-time Dakar winner also declared that the Spaniard is eager to get behind the wheel of the Toyota. He even mentioned Alonso had suggested that perhaps one day they will be sharing headlines during the Dakar Rally.

A teacher called Al-Attiyah

As the good ambassador that he is for both the Toyota brand and for his country, Al-Attiyah will exercise the duties of instructor during the experience. Alonso could not have asked for a better ‘teacher’ to learn the secrets of ‘off-road’ driving from. 

Only time will tell if this adventure turns into a real project. In any case, the existing rumours about his participation in the Dakar have certainly increased … and they might be about to be confirmed.

Alonso spent some time at the farm owned by Carlos Sainz Sr. in Avila over Christmas. During his stay with the twice-champion and his son Carlo Sainz Jr., el Nano had a chance to play around with a buggy on land and was very interested in the secrets of driving on sand.

As if that wasn’t enough to keep us guessing, Fernando himself has recently joked on social networks with his friend Jesus Calleja -participant in the Dakar 2019-, that he was finally going to make a decision. 

His legion of followers would certainly be delighted to see him work his magic through the sands of the desert.

Alonso’s agenda for 2019

Despite not participating in the Formula 1 World Championship this season, Alonso’s year is packed with professional commitments. 

Last weekend he took part in the ‘Before the Rolex 24’; the test sessions previous to the legendary American endurance race, the 24 Hours of Daytona, which is due to take place between the 26th and the 27th of January.

In Daytona, he will share the Cadillac DPi prototype of the Wayne Taylor Racing team with Jordan Taylor, Kamui Kobayashi and Renger Van der Zande.

One month after that, he will rejoin the 2018/2019 Super Season of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) with the Toyota Gazoo Racing team. On March the 25th, he will climb onto the Toyota TS050 Hybrid to participate in the 1,000 miles of Sebring.

Three weeks later he will travel to Europe with the WEC, where, on May the 4th, he will take part in the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, in Belgium. 

On May the 26, the Spaniard has one of his key appointments: The 500 miles of Indianapolis, Alonso’s most important goal for 2019. If he wins, he will be awarded the Triple Crown of Motorsports, an honorific prize that will make him one of the most complete drivers in history. 

To round up Alonso’s spectacular schedule, he is also down to participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June the 16th.

Main image: emperornie vía Wikipedia.

Text images: Ferrari.com & YouTube.