Guenther Steiner: "Alonso at Indy doesn't hurt F1"

Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has said that he doesn't think Fernando Alonso at the Indy 500 is harming Formula 1. The Spaniard announced at the end of last year that he would not be competing at Formula 1's most famous race to instead run the Indy 500.

Steiner also believes that IndyCar will benefit massively from the appearance of Alonso. CEO of Formula 1 Chase Carey believes that Alonso should be competing and Monaco, but Steiner sees no hurt coming from the double world champion's decision.

"I think Fernando helps Indy more than Formula 1. But I also see no disadvantage for F1," said Steiner. "I also think it will be a one-off because let's be honest: why would anyone want to miss Monaco?

"With Fernando, it's clear why he did it, but it would be more difficult for an Indycar driver to prove himself in Formula 1. And let's say Lewis Hamilton wanted to do it: ask Toto (Wolff) if he would agree," he added.

The British team's new executive Zak Brown hinted that McLaren might be considering a full-time Indycar foray: "It (Indycar) is something that we're definitely going to discuss and (we) have met with Indycar, and are certainly interested in competing in some way, shape or form in the not-too-distant future," he said.

Fergal Walsh