Fernando Alonso to make his Sports Car debut when he contests Rolex 24 at Daytona with United Autosports.

The Spaniard will race the team's Ligier JS P217 alongside Phil Hanson and Lando Norris.

The Rolex 24 At Daytona will mark the first time Alonso has raced a prototype sports car, however he is no stranger to taking part in one-off races. He famously entered the 2017 Indianapolis 500 with Andretti Autosport, which he led for 27 laps, and was in contention for the win until forced to retire 21 laps from the end.

The Rolex 24 is held at the Daytona International Speedway in Florida and acts as series opener for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. This year marks the 56th running of the 24-hour endurance event, where United Autosports will enter two Ligier JS P217s. Will Owen and Paul di Resta have already been announced as team-mates to Alonso, Norris and Hanson.The official test - the ROAR before the 24 - takes place on 5-7 January with the 24 hours being held two weeks later on 26-27 January.

"What an exciting and interesting project," said Alonso. "Learning about a completely new racing category, adapting to a different car and to another style of driving and everything that goes with it, is a new challenge for me and I can't wait to test myself again as a driver.

"The Daytona 24 Hours is the most iconic US endurance race and one of the world's great races. Everyone knows it. It's not part of the Triple Crown but, as I have always said, my aim is to be a complete driver and this experience will help me in the preparation for any other endurance race I might take part in.

"Before I went to Indy, I had never driven on an oval, now I know what an oval is and how to deal with it. I am excited to go back and race in America. After the great time I had during the month of May for the Indy 500, I am looking forward to taking part in another legendary race that will bring back all those amazing sensations that US fans gave me.

"Also, this race happens at a convenient time, in January, when our F1 season is off and we are mainly working on our physical preparation. It will be good to get behind a wheel again! Thanks to United Autosports for having offered me this opportunity and thanks to McLaren for supporting me in this new exciting adventure."

"I'm thrilled we have managed to put a deal together to get Fernando in the car at Daytona," added Zak Brown, Team Owner and Chairman, United Autosports. "Although he hasn't driven an LMP2 car before I'm confident he will pick it up quickly. He's one of the best drivers around so it will be great to have him as part of the team, not only for his speed, but for his experience and the invaluable knowledge he will pass onto Phil and Lando."

Norris is currently a McLaren development driver and this year raced in the FIA European Formula 3 Championship, winning the championship with two races to spare. This championship win made him the youngest ever European F3 champion. Hanson, who is the reigning Asian Le Mans Series LMP3 Champion, already has experience of the Ligier JS P217, having raced in the European Le Mans Series and the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2017. At 17 years old, he became the youngest driver to finish in the top 10 at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by GrahamG, 27/10/2017 9:16

"Brilliant to see someone from F1 venturing out into proper racing
Remember the days when we saw F1 drivers in everything from sports cars to saloons?. That was how they became well known to people who didn't go to F1 events, but were none the less enthusiasts.
Alonso is right, with no testing and no races what better way of keeping yourself sharp than racing in whatever is available. Beneath Lewis and some of the others no doubt, but I bet it builds his fan base, particulalry in America"

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2. Posted by johnfaganwilliams, 26/10/2017 17:54

"If Alonso thinks the 24 Hours is raced on an oval he's going to have a bit of a shock at the first corner......."

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Alonso confirmed for 2018 Rolex 24 at Daytona

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