WEC: ‘Immense pleasure’ to welcome Alonso to series

FIA World Endurance Championship CEO Gerard Neveu says it is an “immense pleasure” to welcome Formula 1 star Fernando Alonso to the series for the new season.

Toyota confirmed on Tuesday it had signed two-time Formula 1 world champion Alonso to its WEC line-up for the 2018/19 ‘super season’, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Alonso will combine his sports car racing duties with his F1 commitments for McLaren, which gave him permission to enter the WEC as part of his goal to win Le Mans and further his bid to win the ‘triple crown of motorsport’.

WEC chief Neveu was delighted to confirm the news of Alonso’s arrival, arguably the biggest the championship has enjoyed since that of Mark Webber following his retirement from F1 at the end of 2013.

“Welcoming Fernando Alonso for the entire 2018-2019 WEC Super Season is an immense pleasure and honour,” said Neveu.

“All our fans and the great Endurance racing family are looking forward to welcoming Fernando. He is one of the greatest motorsport drivers of all time. His participation in the WEC with Toyota in LMP1 ensures a superb show.

“The presence of such a champion confirms the influence and attractiveness of our discipline.”

ACO president Pierre Fillon echoed Neveu’s thoughts, saying: “We are proud to welcome Fernando Alonso among us in Endurance racing.

“The participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans but also in the FIA World Endurance Championship, from such a champion demonstrates the challenge that our event and our discipline represents for a driver.

“For several years now, Fernando had shown interest in our event and the FIA World Endurance Championship. The conditions are now in place for this desire to come to fruition.

“Le Mans and Endurance racing will shine under the spotlight that Fernando’s presence brings, just as our race and Endurance racing will also allow Fernando’s talent to shine.”