Alonso ready to fight on two fronts

LONDON: Fernando Alonso faces the busiest year of any Formula One driver but the Spaniard has played down fears he could be spreading himself too thin by competing in two world championships at once.

The 36-year-old gets one campaign started next week when he lines up for McLaren at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, the first of a record-equalling 21 F1 races around the world this season.

The double F1 world champion, who competed in the Indianapolis 500 last year, will also race for Toyota at the Le Mans 24 Hours in June and in the full World Endurance championship.

Alonso’s road to Le Mans, as well as McLaren’s new start in Formula One with Renault engines after three dismal years with Toyota’s Japanese rivals Honda, will be among the top storylines of the motorsport year.

“The only concern is travelling,” he told reporters during winter testing in Barcelona when asked about his ambitious programme.“Travelling is going to be energy-consuming and I need to be very efficient on that.

“Every delay on the flight or every connection that you miss is going to hurt this year. So hopefully everything runs smoothly.“I think in terms of mental approach it’s going to be not an issue because every time you jump in the car you want to be competitive. Physically, while driving it’s going to be OK.”