Johnson keen to partner Alonso at Rolex 24

Jimmie Johnson says he wants to partner Fernando Alonso at next year’s Rolex 24 At Daytona if the Spaniard secures a seat as expected.

Alonso started his final Formula 1 race in Abu Dhabi on Sunday before heading to Bahrain to carry out a car swap with seven-time NASCAR champion Johnson on Monday. After the event, Alonso was asked about his hopes of returning to Daytona in January after making his debut this year, and says he is working on his options.

“Yeah, potentially it is possible,” Alonso said. “I think still looking at the options together with McLaren as well. At the end of the day, I am a McLaren driver also next year and as I have said, the full priority is the Indy 500. So we need to accommodate a few things -- it is not that I want to go by my own in all the decisions. I want to have the support from everyone.”

RACER reported earlier today that Alonso will share the No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R with Jordan Taylor and Renger van der Zande for IMSA’s season-opening WeatherTech SportsCar Championship event in January.

After impressing in his first run in a single-seater car at the Bahrain International Circuit, Johnson says he would be open to some open-wheel racing in future “without a doubt,” specifically highlighting the Rolex 24.

“2020 is my last year under contract with Hendrick, and I’ve been approached many times about the Indy 500. I’m not overly excited about those fast ovals, but I think with my status and relationships I could put together some road course races in IndyCar," Johnson said. "I’d look at anything.

Johnson shared the GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing Riley-Chevy Daytona Prototype at Daytona in 2010. (Image by Greg Aleck/LAT)

“I’ve done sports car races in the past, I’ve finished second in the Rolex 24 a couple of times in the prototype division, I’d love to get back to doing that. Anything’s open. I’m far from done, I want to keep driving and hopefully I can find some good opportunities.”

When it was put to Johnson that he could potentially join Alonso at the Rolex 24 in January, the 43-year-old admits he would love to partner the two-time F1 champion.

“I would go anywhere to run with him in the same car, man! Absolutely. yes! The reason I paused is because I have to convince my wife that I have to be gone a few more weeks to work on it, but I think I can get there.”