Alonso ‘a little bit scared’

London : Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso says he was “a little bit scared” when he suffered two brake failures at close to 200mph on his debut at the Daytona 24 Hours.

The Spaniard’s race was hit by multiple problems and he finished 38th with co-drivers Lando Norris and Phil Hanson.

Alonso, 36, said: “You arrive at the first corner and you’re at 300-310km/h, then you hit the brakes and there are no brakes. Luckily you have a short cut.”

He said his first taste of endurance racing was a “great experience”.

Alonso is tipped to compete in the classic Le Mans 24 Hours race with Toyota this year in addition to his F1 commitments with McLaren.

Alonso said it was “60:40” whether he did Le Mans this year, adding: “I don’t have any deadline. I would like to do it but the decision is not only on my side. So let’s see what happens.

“F1 is my first and only priority. If I do some extra races they will be always second priority, even Le Mans. You have to respect the race and take it seriously but always after McLaren.”

He added that his Daytona experience had made him “more prepared” for Le Mans.

“I experienced things that were new to me,” Alonso said. “Next time I jump in a prototype car, closed cockpit, I know the traffic situations, night driving, safety car. That was one of the goals for this event.”