Fernando Alonso says he aims to announce his plans for 2019 next month and fuelled speculation of a potential appearance in NASCAR.

The two-times world champion shared a video on social media yesterday of him discussing a possible seat swap with seven-times NASCAR Cup champion Jimmie Johnson.

Asked whether he is considering a move into stock car racing, Alonso said it was “definitely another series that is attractive.”

“As all the motor sport series they have their good things and their bad things, their appeal sometimes. We know NASCAR is one of the great series in motor sport. Obviously I never tested the car, I have zero information about the championship, the rules. It’s a very difficult thing to judge. Let’s see what will happen there.”

Toyota, who Alonso races for in the World Endurance Championship, is also active in NASCAR. The Japanese manufacturer won last year’s championship and took Martin Truex Jnr to the driver’s title.

Alonso has set himself the target of winning motorsport’s ‘triple crown’ of races but has also spoken of wanting to achieve something unique in motor sport. This has prompted speculation he could take on NASCAR’s showpiece race, the Daytona 500.

The McLaren driver said he hasn’t put much thought into entering the February race but added he “will take it into consideration”.

“It’s one of those iconic races that definitely they are great and they are very important in motor sports there is appeal in all these kinds of event,” he said.

Alonso is still seeking a victory in the Indianapolis 500 to complete his ‘triple crown’ and last week tested an IndyCar on a road course for the first time. However he said he is still weighing his options for next year and the test will have no bearing on his decision.

“It’s not only what appeal to me, it’s also what are the best things in motorsport. Some of them they are not maybe ready or I’m not prepared to do those things.

“So I need to consider how much preparation, how much dedication I need to put into those new things to be ready and competitive. If I feel I can be ready and competitive I’ll set the challenge, if I see it’s too difficult I will postpone the challenge for later on. But it’s something that I need to consider in a wider range.”

“I’m checking a couple of things and hopefully by October, in one month time, I hope to get everything done and say to you,” he added.

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2018 F1 season