Two-time Formu🃏la 1 🐭world champion Fernando Alonso says he will “probably” return to the Dakar Rally in the future after finishing 13th at his first attempt of the legendary rally raid race.

Alonso turned his attention to Dakar after winning the FIA World Endurance Championship with Toyota last 🐲June, continuing his bid to sample and compete across numerous forms of motorsport.

The Spaniard teamed up with co-driver Marc Coma as part of Toyota’s four-car Dakar entry, and impresseꦐd through his first attempt at the rac𒁏e, placing as high as second on one of the stages.

Alonso ༒survived a crash on the second day and a double-roll on the penultimate marathon stage to cross the line on Friday in 13th place, less than five hours down on winning driver Carlos Sainz.

Speaking on the finisher’s podium in Saudi Arabia, Alonso said his first taste of the Dakar had been “amazing🗹”.

“This is the toughest rally in the world, and to be here afte✤r 12 stages was not easy. Sometimes we had to deal with some diffᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚiculties, but we have an amazing team,” Alonso said.

“These guys were amazing. Not only here, the last seven months, so thanks Glynn ꧋[Hall, team principal], thanks Toyo𒁏ta, and see you soon.”

When asked if he would returnꦰ to Dakar, Alons♔o said it was likely, but refused to put a firm date on it.

“Probably I will come♏ back. I don’t know if next year or in the future editions, I really enjoyed it,” Alonso said.

“The marathon s𒅌tage was OK, but hopefully the next one is going to be a little bit smoother.”