Former McLaren team-mates Alonso and Button both to make debut at prestigious endurance race in June
Tuesday 11 December 2018 14:21, UK
Fernando Alonso is pleased Jenson Button is joining him on the "adventure" of racing in series outside of F1 with the former team-mates to come face to face again in June's Le Mans 24 Hours.
The former world champions, who were team-mates at McLaren for two seasons, will be debutants in the field for the prestigious endurance race. Button this week agreed a deal with LMP1 newcomers SMP Racing, while Alonso had already signed up to a full season of the World Endurance Championship 'superseason' with Toyota alongside his F1 duties.
"I knew a couple of months ago already that he was joining the team and now it's official," Alonso told Sky Sports News at the Azerbaijan GP.
"Happy to have him on board. Obviously a very strong line up for SMP and their car seems very fast, or the fastest right now, so it's going to be good.
"More and more people on board the better the championship will be, more attention it will bring for everyone, and it's good for motorsport."
Alonso's debut at Le Mans comes amid the Spaniard's attempt to become just the second driver in history to achieve the 'Triple Crown' of motorsport.
Graham Hill is the only person to win the 24-hour race, the Indianapolis 500, and Monaco GP. Alonso has already won in Monaco twice, but his car broke down when in contention at Indy last year.
Button is also a former Monaco winner so a victory at Le Mans in June would theoretically put him on course to attempt his own effort at the Triple Crown.
Button has previously said he would not race in IndyCar, but Alonso said: "We will see. If he wins Le Mans maybe he's tempted. But it's good to see drivers join these adventures."
