Sportscars Features

After months and months of speculation, it's now official: Fernando Alonso will not be racing in Formula 1 next year.

Having just celebrated its 130th Birthday on June 14, British tyre manufacturer Dunlop heads into this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans this weekend looking to claim an eighth consecutive victory at the Circuit de la Sarthe. 

Maybe just by writing this headline, fate has been tempted. Maybe we’re set for the same heartache that has burdened Toyota in recent years. Or maybe, this time around, Toyota will finally take its elusive maiden victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

As we near the start of the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans at 3pm on Saturday, the focus of the pre-race coverage has, unsurprisingly, centred on one driver: Fernando Alonso.

Formula 1 drivers have never been strangers to Le Mans but amid the fanfare surrounding Fernando Alonso’s debut at the iconic 24 hour race it appears a number of former famous faces of Grand Prix racing have been pulled to the attraction.

Five years is a long, long time in motorsport. Cast your mind back to May 2013. You will remember a time before Mercedes’ dominance in Formula 1, instead finding Red Bull at the peak of its powers.

Finally, finally  we can put an end to one of the longest-running and perhaps most predictable stories from the last few months in motorsport.

“Guys, there are people at Daytona who aren’t called Fernando…” The tweet of Sportscar365 writer and friend Jake Kilshaw summed up the thoughts of many a sports car journalist who made their annual trip to Daytona International Speedway for this year’s Rolex 24.

McLaren Formula 1 star Fernando Alonso will make his much-anticipated sports car racing debut this weekend when he lines up on the grid for the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Fernando Alonso is the star name for this year's Rolex 24 at Daytona, embarking on his endurance racing adventure.

Williams F1 driver Lance Stroll is back for a second crack at the Rolex 24.

Ferdinand Habsburg is a rising star in single-seaters - but can he impress on his Daytona debut?

Felix Rosenqvist is known for his ability to race anything and everything, leading to his Daytona debut this weekend.

More than a year since his last F1 race, Felipe Nasr is back in action this weekend at Daytona.

He may be an IndyCar legend, but Scott Dixon also has a pretty formidable record in the Rolex 24.

After back-to-back IMSA GTD titles, can Christina Nielsen finally break her Daytona hoodoo?

Scott Pruett will bring the curtain down on a 50-year racing career at Daytona on Saturday with 3GT Racing.

Ricky Taylor flew the nest from his family-run team over the winter to join Penske's new sports car effort with Acura.

After an agonising defeat in the closing stages of last year's Daytona 24, can Filipe Albuquerque take revenge in 2018?

Fernando Alonso may be the headline name at Daytona, but here are 10 drivers to keep an eye out for in one of motorsport's most iconic races.

A final look at what to watch for in this weekend's Rolex 24 at Daytona as Fernando Alonso gears up for his race debut.

A look at some of the biggest stars in racing that will be at this weekend's Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The complete schedule for this week's Rolex 24 at Daytona sports car race as Fernando Alonso prepares to make his debut.

A look at the three classes that will be racing in the Rolex 24 at Daytona this weekend.