Key Highlights:
- Fernando Alonso has reportedly secured favorable terms to remain with Aston Martin in Formula 1 through 2027 while earning factory backing for an assault on the Dakar Rally.
- The off-road program is set to be prepared by Prodrive using the rally-winning Dacia Sandrider platform, potentially branded as the Aston Martin “Dreadnought.”
- Five-time Dakar bike champion Marc Coma is expected to reunite as Alonso’s co-driver, with Nasser Al-Attiyah and SĂ©bastien Loeb also linked to the wider Prodrive effort.
Following intense speculation surrounding Fernando Alonso’s long-term future in Formula 1, the two-time world champion has reportedly finalized terms to extend his relationship with Aston Martin through 2027. Crucially, the agreement extends far beyond the grand prix paddock: Alonso has successfully persuaded the British manufacturer to back his return to the prestigious Dakar Rally, an endeavor that marks a resurgence of his multi-discipline motorsport ambitions.
Discussions regarding the joint F1 and Dakar venture were initiated as far back as August, but details only surfaced recently via reports in the Spanish media. The timeline aligns with cryptic statements made by Alonso during the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, where he hinted at significant “surprises” on the horizon. While fans initially theorized a potential GT racing collaboration with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the target is instead a return to the grueling off-road marathon that Alonso first tackled with Toyota in 2020, where he earned a 13th-place finish.
Alonso’s Pursuit of Versatility Across Motorsport Eras
Alonso’s desire to compete outside grand prix boundaries is well-established. Disenchanted by McLaren’s lack of competitiveness alongside Honda during the mid-2010s, he successfully negotiated a program to run the Indianapolis 500. His subsequent F1 sabbatical between 2018 and 2021 brought two overall victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Toyota, further Indy 500 attempts, and his Dakar debut.
Reflecting on those multi-category excursions, Alonso explained:
“Yes, exactly, I had to stop. I had to switch off from Formula 1,” said Alonso of those experiences.
“I had to experience different formulas and different series, and learn from the specialists in those series and become a more complete driver. That was very important for me and I still find those challenges appealing. I don’t know when I will do it, but I will repeat those experiences.
“I love challenges. My way of understanding motorsport and my way of living is around racing cars. It has been all my life and I think my strength has been to adapt to different cars, different rules: V10, V8, V6, Bridgestone, Michelin, Pirelli, KERS, hybrid, ground-effect cars, all these different things. Plus different series: prototypes, Indy, Dakar.
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“I try to use that strength and maybe do things that were possible in the 1960s, ’80s or ’90s and now probably no one will try. Max is the only one trying to do some GT racing. But apart from that, I like that challenge.
“I tried these things in the past and I will continue doing that. So maybe, yeah, you have more surprises in the next few weeks. There are things that people probably think that are impossible, but I want to find the limits of what is possible.”
Prodrive Machinery and the “Dreadnought” Concept
Under the prospective rally program, Alonso is slated to drive an Aston Martin-branded entry operated by longtime motorsport partner Prodrive. The vehicle will be built upon the foundations of the Dacia Sandrider, a machine that claimed victory in the most recent Dakar in the hands of Nasser Al-Attiyah and co-driver Fabian Lurquin. Following that triumph, Dacia revealed plans to conclude its World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) participation early, stepping back at the end of 2026 instead of 2027.
The Sandrider itself evolved from the Prodrive Hunter platform before receiving bodywork and engine modifications referencing the Dacia Manifesto concept car. The underlying architecture readily accommodates cosmetic and powertrain re-engineering. Among the concepts being considered is styling and badging the entry as the “Dreadnought,” a nod to the virtual Aston Martin design featured in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.
Prodrive maintains deep ties with Aston Martin; founder David Richards served as Aston Martin’s chairman between 2007 and 2013, overseeing the brand’s factory GT and sports prototype programs. The organization is reportedly targeting an expansive effort around the Sandrider base rather than a solitary car, with rally raid titans Nasser Al-Attiyah and SĂ©bastien Loeb also being weighed as potential team-mates alongside Alonso. Initial test running using the Sandrider base is expected to begin within weeks, with Marc Coma—a five-time motorcycle category winner with KTM—tipped to reprise his role alongside Alonso in the co-driver’s seat.
Why This Matters
Retaining Alonso through 2027 guarantees Aston Martin stability as Formula 1 transitions into its new technical era. Furthermore, leveraging Prodrive’s rally infrastructure allows Aston Martin to extend its high-performance footprint into the World Rally-Raid Championship at minimal internal overhead, capitalizing on Alonso’s immense profile across global motorsport.
Logistically, the competitive landscape for the 2027 Dakar Rally remains in flux. While the event is officially slated for Saudi Arabia across January 1–15, 2027—covering a planned 13 stages and 5,320 kilometers sanctioned by the FIA—organizer Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) is formulating alternative scenarios. Amid geopolitical unrest in the Middle East, a contingency plan could see the rally relocate to Morocco with a streamlined itinerary of roughly eight stages, though Saudi Arabia remains the recognized host while evaluations continue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Fernando Alonso competed in the Dakar Rally before?
Yes. Alonso made his Dakar debut in 2020 behind the wheel of a Toyota Hilux, partnered by co-driver Marc Coma, finishing the event in 13th position overall.
What vehicle platform will Aston Martin and Prodrive use?
The program will adapt the Dacia Sandrider, an off-road chassis developed from the Prodrive Hunter that took victory with Nasser Al-Attiyah. The rally-raid vehicle will be adapted with Aston Martin branding, with ideas under review including styling inspired by the virtual “Dreadnought” concept.
Where will the 2027 Dakar Rally take place?
The 2027 route is officially planned across 13 stages in Saudi Arabia from January 1 to 15. However, organizer ASO is examining a potential contingency plan to hold a more compact eight-stage event in Morocco if regional security concerns prevent racing in Saudi Arabia.
