Alonso's Dakar ambition exposes F1's internal power struggles

As Formula 1 hits its mid-season pause, with no race this weekend before the circus reconvenes for the US Grand Prix from October 23-25, the quiet in the paddock belies a swirling undercurrent of tension and ambition. While many drivers might be seeking respite, Fernando Alonso, true to form, is reportedly preparing for a potential Dakar Rally return in 2027, with his first track tests expected soon.

This bold move, initially met with skepticism and even denials from Alonso himself regarding the feasibility of combining F1 with Dakar, now seems increasingly concrete. Reports suggest an Aston Martin-backed, Prodrive-operated project is in motion, even as the Dakar Rally itself faces uncertainty with potential route changes or even cancellation due to security concerns in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, the F1 season’s sprint race experiment has concluded for the year, leaving many, including Alonso, questioning its purpose and the power structures that dictate the sport's evolution.

Alonso: The Maverick's Multi-Disciplinary Ambition

Fernando Alonso's career has consistently defied convention, and his rumored Dakar 2027 return is no different. Despite earlier reports citing Alonso's own doubts about the physical demands of combining Formula 1 with the grueling Dakar, recent news indicates that his initial tests with a Prodrive-Aston Martin setup are expected to begin in the coming weeks. As SoyMotor reports, this would mark his second appearance in the legendary rally, following his 13th-place finish with Toyota in 2020. With Marc Coma, a five-time Dakar motorcycle winner, reportedly returning as his co-driver, this project speaks volumes about Alonso's insatiable drive for new challenges, even as he approaches the twilight of an extraordinary F1 career.

This pursuit of cross-disciplinary excellence could be viewed as a testament to his unique longevity, pushing the boundaries of what an active F1 driver can achieve. Yet, it also plays out against a backdrop of increasing frustration with his current F1 team, Aston Martin. The recent Singapore Grand Prix highlighted glaring power unit issues, with Alonso publicly criticizing Honda's energy deployment system, and a disagreement over a turbocharger failure. Having single-handedly secured all seven of Aston Martin's points in 2026, his patience with the AMR26, and its Honda power unit, appears perilously thin, fueling his relentless pursuit of performance and perhaps new horizons.

F1's Internal Conflict: Sprint Races and Elite Power

Alonso's focus on external ventures coincides with his outspoken criticism of Formula 1's internal dynamics. His recent comments, as reported by outlets like Marca, highlight a growing dissatisfaction with the sport's direction, particularly concerning the sprint race format. Alonso believes that proposed changes to the sprint format, intended to improve the spectacle, are consistently blocked by top teams primarily looking to protect their own interests.