Alonso and Johnson complete F1/NASCAR car swap

Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso and seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson got the chance to sample each other’s machinery in Bahrain.

Less than 24 hours after crossing the line in what is expected to be his final F1 race in Abu Dhabi, Alonso was at the Bahrain International Circuit with NASCAR star Johnson on Monday to take part in the event dubbed ‘JJxALO’.

Alonso and Johnson complete F1/NASCAR car swap

Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso and seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson got the chance to sample each other’s machinery in Bahrain.

Less than 24 hours after crossing the line in what is expected to be his final F1 race in Abu Dhabi, Alonso was at the Bahrain International Circuit with NASCAR star Johnson on Monday to take part in the event dubbed ‘JJxALO’.

Alonso kicked the day off by completing a short, unplanned run in McLaren’s 2013 Mercedes-powered MP4-28 in the morning, before handing over to Johnson for his first experience behind the wheel of an F1 car.

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Despite issues with his helmet, Johnson posted a lap within 0.2s of Alonso’s benchmark time of 1m40.204s, leaving the Spaniard impressed by his run.

It was then time for Alonso to try his hand in Johnson’s NASCAR Chevrolet. The outgoing McLaren driver beat Johnson’s installation lap around the Bahrain Grand Prix venue by four seconds in the afternoon, before the pair rounded off the day with some donuts. 

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