Absent from Monaco, Alonso will take part in the Indianapolis 500!

The news arrived by surprise right in the middle of the lunch break. On May 28th, Fernando Alonso will take part in the 101st edition of the Indianapolis 500. Initially part of his Formula 1 schedule, the double world champion will indeed skip the Monaco Grand Prix taking place on the same day.

Probably tired of the lack of competitiveness of his current car, Alonso has received approval from his team to focus on this new project. At 35 years old, the Bull of Asturias will simply participate in his first Indycar race, driving a car for the Andretti Autosport team, also powered by Honda. Along the way, the car will be revamped in the colors of McLaren, which is getting involved in the event again after a 38-year absence.

Owned by Michael Andretti, a former IndyCar champion who participated in 13 Formula 1 races alongside Ayrton Senna in 1993, the team already boasts significant experience across the Atlantic. Fielding four cars throughout the season, Andretti Autosport will simply be the defending champion, with Alexander Rossi, who won to everyone’s surprise 11 months ago. The former Manor driver will be one of the Spanish player’s teammates, along with Takuma Sato, Marco Andretti (son of Michael and grandson of Mario, F1 world champion in 1978), and Ryan Hunter-Reay, who has already conquered the oval in 2014.

Fernando Alonso will therefore swap his McLaren-Honda for a car powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine, limited to 12,000 revolutions per minute, according to the official IndyCar regulations.

Exited. I love RACING. I’m just a RACER. Indy 500 here we come!!! 💪💪💪 #mclaren #honda #14 #f1 #indy pic.twitter.com/1LZ50FqSiC

— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) April 12, 2017

In its statement, Zak Brown’s team specified that the identity of the replacement driver will be announced in due course. The trend naturally suggests that Jenson Button, confined to the role of third driver after his retirement, will step up for the weekend.

Alonso still on board the McLaren ship, despite the enticing American prospect

Immediately, the Spaniard short-circuited the rumors of a total withdrawal for the Woking firm. The Spaniard reiterated that he will still be at the wheel of the orange and black car for the rest of the season, despite an out-of-breath Honda engine.

« Of course, it’s a regret for me to miss the Monaco race this year. But Monaco will be the only Grand Prix I will miss in 2017, I will return to the cockpit for the Canadian Grand Prix at the beginning of June » he indicated.

But in any case, his enthusiasm is overflowing as he looks forward to participating in a legendary race. Facing the unknown, Alonso certainly isn’t afraid!

I have never raced in IndyCar before, nor on a speedway! But I am confident, I will quickly acquire the necessary level of grip. I have watched many IndyCar races on television or on the internet. It is clear that driving requires extreme precision between the other cars close on both sides at 350 km/h.

That being said, Alonso also acknowledged that he will have to be on a steep learning curve.

For this, here is his program, slightly modified.

« I will join Indianapolis immediately after the Grand Prix. I hope to be able to accomplish a large number of kilometers during the free practice sessions. But I already know how strong the Andretti team is! »

The dream of the Triple Crown

After 15 complete seasons in the premier discipline and a 16th with bleak prospects, Alonso offers himself a breath of fresh air with a challenge worthy of his status. Winner of the Monaco Grand Prix in 2006 and 2007, the Spaniard is on the path to history: attempting to also win the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

« One of my ambitions is to win the triple crown, which has only been achieved by one driver in the history of motorsport: Graham Hill. It’s a tough challenge but I’m ready for it. I don’t know when I will compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but I will participate one day. One thing is certain: I’m only 35 years old, and I still have a lot of time ahead of me! »

Until then, the McLaren team is offering a nice gift to their driver, brave after three years of drought, only rewarded with three fifth places as the best result. A nice way perhaps to retain their driver, whose contract ends this season, and who has already shown barely concealed irritation since the beginning of the year.

Thus, here we are at the beginning of the challenge of the final part of Fernando Alonso’s career. For comparison, Graham Hill achieved the holy grail at the age of 42 through his victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Victorious at Indianapolis in 2000 and 2015, and in Monaco in 2003, Juan Pablo Montoya is the most advanced active driver with two-thirds of the crown to his name. The Colombian will also be on the starting grid for the 2017 500 miles.

We’re going back to the #Indy500. Hear from Fernando and @ZBrownCEO on their excitement to go @IndyCar racing. #McLarenIndy pic.twitter.com/tiqonmYqyV

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) April 12, 2017