Alonso led 27 laps of the '17 Indy 500 before engine problems caused him to finish 24thGETTY IMAGES
Two-time F1 champ Fernando Alonso and McLaren are "returning to the Greatest Spectacle in Racing" after running the Indianapolis 500 for the first time in '17, according to Jim Ayello of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. Alonso in '17 led 27 laps before having his day "derailed when his engine blew up." The announcement is a "boon for IndyCar as it tries to expand its international presence." The move also "allows McLaren to keep its toes in the IndyCar waters as it continues to explore a full-time entry into the series" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 11/11). AUTOWEEK's Bruce Martin reported when McLaren announced a few weeks ago that McLaren "would not do a full-time IndyCar team" in '19, IndyCar Series CEO Mark Miles "knew McLaren was still working on an Indy 500 deal." Miles said, “We were disappointed they could not get it together for the whole year. They will be here in May and will continue to work on a full-time IndyCar team for 2020” (AUTOWEEK.com, 11/10).
DEDICATED TEAM: McLaren CEO Zak Brown said that a "'whole separate team' will be created to run" Alonso's Indy 500 entry. AUTOSPORT's Adam Cooper noted Alonso in '17 raced as an Andretti Autosport entry with "McLaren marketing support." This time "there will be a more direct involvement with a team put together under the McLaren Racing banner, which is expected to be run with Andretti technical backing." Neither that "nor an expected Chevrolet engine deal have yet to be officially confirmed," but team Owner Michael Andretti tweeted that his team "will again [be] involved" (AUTOSPORT.com, 11/11).
