Alonso Back in Action at Daytona, 11th Overall

[Paul Jeffrey]

Alonso ups the pace in Daytona as the United Autosport #23 end the day in 11th overall.

The 'Roar before the 24' test weekend continued under cold but sunny skies in America today for the second day of track action for the teams and drivers ahead of the famous Rolex Daytona 24 Hour endurance event, scheduled to run over the weekend of the 27th and 28th January 2018.

McLaren Honda Formula One driver and Prototype debutant Fernando Alonso continued his American adventure earlier today with yet more valuable mileage in the #23 United Autosports Ligier LMP2 machine, clocking in an impressive 1:38.602 during his 16 laps of the circuit, closing to within just two tenths of team mate and fellow McLaren driver Lando Norris. Unfortunately for team and drivers, Saturday would be less fruitful than yesterday as the squad dropped from 6th on Friday to 11th overall today, showing less pace on short and long runs than earlier in the weekend of running.

"The goal here is more or less the same as at Indianapolis," Alonso said. "The goal is to try to learn different driving techniques, try to learn from the specialists of endurance races, try to be a better driver when the Rolex 24 [is held]. For me, it’s the first time in an endurance race, the first time in a Prototype car, the first time driving at night – many new things will come, step by step. It’s quite a big challenge." ​

You can catch up on the final times from the third practice session at Daytona HERE.

The Daytona 24 Hour will take place on January 27th and 28th 2018.

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Impressed with the early running at Daytona? Can Alonso and United Autosports challenge for the win at the end of the month? Let us know in the comments section below!

 

[NASCRAP]

Everybody sandbags at this thing; we won't know the true pace until the actual race.

 

[FernandoAFM]

Jeez, he never drove at night?
Never thought I’d say this, but I beat Alonso there

Ok, silly moment over.

 

[Grand Tourist]

Jeez, he never drove at night?
Never thought I’d say this, but I beat Alonso there

Ok, silly moment over.

F1 doesn't have headlights

 

[F_B]

Gotta love Alonso for his committment.

 

[Andrew Harper]

The times are interesting. As @NASCRAP says, it's really a glorified practice session and every team will have their own schedule.

As a Mazda fan though and looking at the live timing when they were running, it looks like they are suffering which is a shame. We'll see how things go in a few weeks.

 

[rubaru]

Ugh. Didn't realize this was the 27th. I'm on holiday in Florida thru the 26th!

 

[snyperal]

I wish him well here! Maybe he's thinking that f1 will go full cockpit in the future?

I doubt it, but I'll definitely be rooting for him.

 

[Michel Forest]

Lance Stroll is 9th...

 

[lodewijk]

Lance Stroll is 9th...

everyone is sandbagging tho

 

[samcar304]

They may be sandbagging but don't hold out much hope for a Ligier do well here, They are more suited to smaller tracks like Laguna Seca, or a street circuit.

 

[Grand Tourist]

First sandbaggers penalty handed out. Good thing for the sport. Pittyful that there needs to be a regulation for this anti-social racing behavior.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/imsa-parks-gtd-cars-on-sandbagging-claims/

 

[Michel Forest]

everyone is sandbagging tho

I know, hence the smiley...