Missed it by that much...
Fernando Alonso left the door open to a Le Mans 24 Hours bid in the near future after revealing (during this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix) that a deal with Porsche for this year's blue riband event fell through.
The Asturian was very close to inking a contract with Porsche before the option to sign with McLaren-Honda came through, eliminating any opportunity to race at Le Mans in June..
Alonso’s absence would’ve left the door open for Nico Hulkenberg (who by his own admission approached Porsche of his own volition), which led to his historic win on debut this year alongside Nick Tandy and Earl Bamber.
Hulkenberg’s much publicized win cajoled the revelation from Alonso, who may have been regretting passing up the opportunity to compete with Porsche.
“I considered to race in Le Mans” said Alonso. In the future – and when in the future I don't know – I just said it was very close this year, so maybe next year.”
If McLaren’s fortunes don’t improve by the time of the Japanese Grand
Prix (Honda’s home race), Alonso’s predictions may come sooner
than we think.
Image: Octane Photographic