News Summary
- Fernando Alonso is understood to be preparing a return to the Dakar Rally in 2027 with a Prodrive-run Aston Martin project.
- Marc Coma, who partnered Alonso during his first Dakar appearance in 2020, is expected to return as his co-driver.
- Alonso has already committed to staying in Formula 1 with Aston Martin in 2027, meaning the Dakar programme would run alongside his F1 season.
Fernando Alonso is set to return to the Dakar Rally in 2027 as part of an Aston Martin project operated by Prodrive, adding another major motorsport programme alongside his continued participation in Formula 1.
According to SoyMotor, an agreement for the project was reached months ago, although Aston Martin has yet to formally announce Alonso’s participation.
The plan would see the Spaniard compete in a Prodrive-prepared T1+ car based on the platform currently used by Dacia in rally-raid competition but carrying Aston Martin branding and bodywork.
It would mark Alonso’s second appearance in the Dakar after his debut with Toyota in 2020, when he finished 13th overall alongside Marc Coma.
Coma is expected to return as Alonso’s co-driver for the new programme. The five-time Dakar motorcycle winner played an important role in Alonso’s transition to rally-raid competition during his first attempt and is again considered the leading choice to accompany him.
Alonso’s first tests with the car are expected to take place in the coming weeks as preparations accelerate for the 2027 edition.
The project comes shortly after Alonso extended his Formula 1 career with Aston Martin for 2027, meaning the Dakar would not replace his F1 programme.
The two-time world champion had previously kept several options open while considering his future, including a possible return to endurance racing. Alonso had acknowledged that the WEC remained an option for 2027 before ultimately deciding to continue racing in Formula 1.
He had also repeatedly refused to close the door on another Dakar attempt. In August, Alonso said his immediate priority remained Aston Martin and F1 but admitted that both the Dakar and Indianapolis 500 still interested him.
The timing of the latest reports also follows comments Alonso made during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend at Sepang. Having already confirmed his F1 future, he suggested there could still be further surprises in his racing programme and spoke about continuing to test the limits of what was possible in motorsport.
Prodrive provides route back to Dakar
Prodrive is central to the project. The British engineering company has extensive rally-raid experience and has operated the Dacia Sandrider programme, giving Alonso access to an established T1+ platform rather than beginning a Dakar project from scratch.
One proposal under consideration would give the Aston Martin version of the car the Dreadnought name, drawing visual inspiration from a virtual Aston Martin off-road concept created for the Call of Duty franchise. The final name and appearance of the Dakar car have not yet been officially confirmed.
Prodrive also has deep historical links with Aston Martin. The company previously ran the manufacturer’s GT racing programmes, while founder David Richards has held senior positions at Aston Martin in the past.
A wider multi-car programme is also being evaluated rather than an isolated entry built exclusively around Alonso.
For Alonso, the project would offer another opportunity to add to one of the most varied racing careers of the modern era. Alongside his two Formula 1 world championships, he has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice, the World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Daytona.
The Dakar remains one of the major events he has attempted but not yet won.
His first appearance in 2020 came after an extensive preparation programme with Toyota following his initial departure from Formula 1. Despite losing significant time after rolling his Hilux during the event, Alonso completed the rally in 13th position.
His preparation for 2027 would be considerably different because he will remain an active Formula 1 driver. Alonso and Lance Stroll have already been confirmed as Aston Martin’s F1 pairing for next season, with the Spaniard saying that his desire to continue competing remained stronger than the frustration of the team’s difficult 2026 campaign.
The Dakar is traditionally held in January, before the start of the Formula 1 season, making it possible for Alonso to contest both programmes in the same year.
An official announcement from Aston Martin and Prodrive is still awaited.
FAQ
Is Fernando Alonso racing in the 2027 Dakar Rally?
Alonso is understood to be preparing to contest the 2027 Dakar with a Prodrive-operated Aston Martin project. The programme has been widely reported, but Aston Martin has not yet formally announced his entry.
Has Fernando Alonso raced in the Dakar before?
Yes. Alonso made his Dakar debut with Toyota in 2020 and finished 13th overall with Marc Coma as his co-driver.
Will Fernando Alonso still race in Formula 1 in 2027?
Yes. Aston Martin has confirmed Alonso and Lance Stroll as its Formula 1 drivers for 2027. The Dakar programme would therefore run alongside Alonso’s F1 commitments.
Tags: Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin, Dakar, Prodrive
