Both drivers engaged in an intense battle on the tarmac of the Daytona International Speedway, showing the quality of their driving skills and lifting the audience from their seats. 

The winner of that epic combat was the Spanish shark, a predator in any automotive habitat. A twist of fate made both drivers coincide in the second relay of their respective teams. They had previously met on the asphalt, aware that later on, they would come head to head.  But, who would see the first checkered flag?

Alonso’s mythical relay 

The Rolex clock that sponsors the race read 22:14:41 hours till the end, that is, that the race had been going for a little less than two hours at the oval in Florida.

At that precise moment, and after a rather slow pitstop, the Spaniard took the wheel of the Cadillac DPi-V.R #10. After the discreet performance of his teammate Jordan Taylor, Alonso’s re-joined the track in ninth position. He had to climb back to the top to stand any chance of success.

He clenched his fists and began to row in the middle of the flood. Immediately, the hands of the Spaniard worked the miracle: the car experienced a significant performance jump. After just three laps he was already sixth. The duel between Fernando Alonso and Helio Castroneves was coming soon!

Shortly thereafter he climbed to fifth before the safety car momentarily halted its progression. As the race resumed Fernando Alonso continued with his attack. He took over Eric Curran’s Cadillac #31 and Dane Cameron’s Acura #6 and got into third. 

The battle of the Titans

 The great duel between Fernando Alonso and Helio Castroneves was near. The Spaniard, approaching at a lightning speed, had now the #7 of the Penske team within reach. Then a ruthless pursuit broke out, with Alonso stuck to the diffuser of the Acura ARX-05 DPi.

Like cat and mouse, Alonso was right on the slipstream of his prey. Both cars, turning into a single figure, executed a perfect choreography on the waterlogged asphalt. Two machines, racing to the limit of their performance at one of the most demanding races in the world. 

The key moment

At some point, Alonso knew he needed to gain some ground so he raised the pressure on his adversary. At times he got his car in parallel to his adversary and at other times he chased him at different angles.

The shark was sharpening its teeth before feasting on its victim. The key moment came with a rushed and brutal braking manoeuvre. There was no gap in that diabolical curve, but Alonso took out his magic wand and invented it. Another trick of the Spanish sorcerer.

The Brazilian veteran had used all of his skill and experience to hold on to his position, but in the end, he had to yield it to the two-time Formula 1 champion. Alonso was now second at the 24 Hours of Daytona 2019, now it was the turn of the first classified.

Rene Rast, at the controls of the Mazda RT24-P #77 of Team Roast, could not contain Alonso’s #10 cyclone. The Spaniard was now commanding the race.

His first stint, which lasted 2 hours, 50 minutes and 16 seconds, left fans and rivals in awe. The best, however, was yet to come, since he had another two relays ahead as well as his mythical victory. The Spaniard continues to write his legend in the motoring world. The Triple Crown awaits and… who knows how many more challenges! 

Duel between Fernando Alonso and Helio Castroneves images: IMSA, ACURA & Fernando Alonso