Fernando Alonso joins Wayne Taylor Racing for 2019 Daytona 24 Hours

Two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso will drive for Wayne Taylor Racing at the 2019 Daytona 24 Hours alongside Kamui Kobayashi.

Full-time IMSA drivers Jordan Taylor and Renger van der Zande will also race in the no10 Cadillac DPi. 

Alonso finished his 17th F1 season at Abu Dhabi with McLaren and will race in the 2019 Indianapolis 500 in May while also completing the 2018/19 World Endurance Championship ‘superseason’ with Toyota. The 37-year-old is no stranger to the Daytona 24 Hours having contested the race last year with the United Autosports squad, finishing 38th overall.

“This is undoubtedly one of the greatest races in American and world motor sport,” said Alonso in a statement. “Returning to the United States is always special. The atmosphere created by the fans is unique throughout an incredible weekend. I really hope to fight for the win, as well as having fun and putting a smile on the fans’ faces.

“I made my debut last year both in endurance races and with these sportscar prototypes, as well as on this track. I was left wanting much more after a brake issue ended our hopes of stepping on the podium.

“After an intense year in which I’ve competed in both Formula 1 and the WEC, I’m really looking forward to 2019 and attempting to conquer one of the most important races in the world.”

Team owner Wayne Taylor said: “Both Fernando and Kamui are the cream of the crop of world-class driving talent, not only in F1 but as current sports car drivers. It’s taken a long time to put this all together and I’d like to thank everybody who made it all happen.

“Fernando drove at Daytona last year, and it’ll be the first time at the 24-hour for Kamui, who is a superstar driver who will figure it out quickly.”

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Jordan Taylor won the 2017 IMSA championship and the Daytona 24 Hours in his father’s team. His brother Ricky switched to Acura Team Penske for the 2018 season. 

“I think we are bringing in two of the top drivers not just in sports cars but in the world of motor sport,” said Jordan Taylor.

“Fernando is one of the most respected and highly rated drivers of our time, and Kamui has been one of the top sports car drivers over the past few years and the current lap-record holder at Le Mans. It is going to be great to have them join us.

“They have had such long, successful careers, and I’m sure there will be a lot we can learn from having them with us. We had a very strong second half to our 2018 season and finished it off with the win at the Petit Le Mans, so I can’t wait to get back to the track in Daytona and start our 2019 championship on the right foot. Daytona is a unique event but one that our team has excelled at. It’s my favourite month of the year.”

Testing begins with the Roar Before The 24 on January 4-6 while the Daytona 24 Hours begins on January 26.