Snowy Spa WEC win among Alonso's craziest races

Fernando Alonso says his victory in Saturday’s snow-hit 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps ranks among the craziest races of his motorsport career.

Alonso took his fourth win of the WEC season alongside teammates Sebastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima after surviving the changeable conditions at Spa, with three snow showers arriving during the race.

While Alonso’s first hour-long stint came during the best of the weather, the ex-Formula 1 driver later had to negotiate heavy rain in the final two hours before it turned to snow that resulted in the race being red-flagged with 11 minutes to spare.

Asked if it was one of his craziest races, Alonso said: “Probably, yes!

“Definitely I never driven in the snow, and today was proper snow in a couple of moments. The race was neutralised, it was behind the Safety Car and red-flagged at the end.

“It was quite extreme conditions for everyone.”

As well as putting Alonso in a strong position to clinch the WEC drivers’ title alongside Buemi and Nakajima at the 24 Hours of Le Mans next month, the result also maintained the Spaniard’s 100 percent win record in 2019.

“I’m extremely happy with the points of the championship today,” Alonso said.

“Another 6 Hours of Spa trophy at home, and at the moment, a perfect 2019 with a win in Daytona, a win in Sebring, a win at Spa. So far, three of three.

“Every race that I participate, I had the win. Hopefully I can carry the momentum into Indianapolis and Le Mans, and that will be a good thing.”

Alonso added that the results have given him a boost ahead of his return to the Indianapolis 500 later this month as he bids to complete the Triple Crown of Motorsport.

“I’m fully optimistic now for Indy, because the results give me a smile,” Alonso said.

“But I know the race is going to be very challenging. It’s the most difficult leg for the Triple Crown that I find now, so let’s see what we can do.”