Two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso sparked his team to victory Sunday in the rain-hit 24 Hours of Daytona.
The 37-year-old added the epic US endurance event to a list of career achievements that includes 32 F1 race wins and world titles in 2005 and 2006.
“Amazing. Just an amazing experience from the test and perfect execution for the race,” Alonso said. “We were competitive in everything – dry, wet, night, day.”
Alonso got his first taste of endurance racing last year at Daytona, struggling with mechanical problems to finish 38th overall, but he went on to win last year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.
This year, Alonso drove the winning car into Daytona’s Victory Lane, celebrated with a Spanish flag draped over his shoulders and pondered where the victory fits among his career highlights.
“I think it will rank very high,” Alonso said. “To win endurance races in iconic places like Daytona is great. I haven’t been doing this very long. I’ve been in the right place at the right moment so I’m happy for that.”
