The date and venue for the swap between Fernando Alonso and Jimmie Johnson’s Formula 1 and NASCAR car has been confirmed after weeks of teaser videos.
For weeks both Alonso and Johnson have been sharing teaser videos for a potential swap for the two champions in their categories – the date and venue of which has now been finally confirmed after the latest video.
The special swap event will take place at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir on Monday, November 26 which is the day after the 2018 F1 season finale, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit.
That is the last event in Alonso’s F1 career – for now – as he contemplates his future course of action. The Spaniard is scheduled to drive the #48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet machinery while the American will drive the McLaren’s MCL33.
#JJxALO@JimmieJohnson pic.twitter.com/s8LwPyXURT
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) November 2, 2018
For now nothing more has been revealed but it is reported that there will be more done during the swap rather the traditional drivers driving each other’s cars. Johnson is expected to spend few days on McLaren simulator to prepare for the run.
He will also attend the Abu Dhabi GP from where both Johnson and Alonso will fly to Bahrain for the special event. Not only this will be the American’s first chance in a F1 car but also Alonso’s first time in a NASCAR.
The American series hopes to see the Spaniard compete in the Dayton 500 in 2019 with Alonso yet to confirm its plans for the coming years – although it is expected that he will return to race in the Indy 500 in the bid to win it and complete the Triple Crown.
The last time a F1 driver drove a NASCAR was when Lewis Hamilton tried Tony Stewart’s Chevrolet in 2011 at Watkins Glen. Since then Haas F1 drivers – most notably Romain Grosjean – has been hinting a swap but it is yet to take place.