Fernando Alonso says his “dream” debut in the Dakar Rally “keeps getting better and better” after finishing second on the latest s♚tage in Saudi Arabia.

Two-time Formula 1 world champion Alonso and co-driver🐻 Marc Coma recorded their best finish so 🧜far in Stage 8, finishing just four minutes behind stage winner Mathieu Serradori at Wadi ad-Dawasir.

The result continued Alonso’s steady climb back through the field after losing more than 🥂two hours due to car damage on the second stage. The Toyota Gazoo Racin🦋g driver now sits 13th overall, and is less than five minutes off a place in the top 10.

“It was an unbelievable stage! To be competitive on one o♑f these long stages, with dunes and everything, and ꦜto be fighting for the victory, was amazing,” Alonso said.

“It’s hard to believe that I got i✃nto a rally car for the first time just a couple of months ago, and here I am fighting with the top guys.

“The Dakar dream ke♔eps getting better and better; and there wasn’t a downside in any of the last few stages, as we keep climbing in th🦩e positions. Top 7, then Top 5 and now second, so we really can’t ask anything more from the Toyota Hilux, the team or from Marc.

“I thܫink we all have good momentum now and I just want to keep going.”

Alonso entered his first Dakar rally looking for an “enrichi⛎ng experience” as part of his ongoing plans to sample and compete in various different series around the world since quitting F1 at the end of 2018.