McLaren scraps Indycar plans for 2019
- Published on 06 Jul 2018 10:30
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- By: Jeroen Jonkers
McLaren has reportedly scrapped its plans to enter an Indycar team for 2019.
The move was being planned by Zak Brown, but a performance and management crisis within the Woking based team means the Indy dream is the victim.
Auto Motor und Sport reports that the plan is "on hold" on the instruction of team financiers Mansour Ojjeh and the Bahrain royal family.
However, Brown said it is still possible that Fernando Alonso will push to complete his 'triple crown' next year at the Indy 500.
"As for what Fernando does next year, there are several options," he said.
"He really wants to win the triple crown and we would like to do it with him. For now we are not discussing next year but everything is possible."
Some believe that with Andrea Stella and Gil de Ferran now taking prominent roles at McLaren, Alonso is essentially orchestrating things at McLaren.
Brown even said this week that Alonso was part of the decision to oust Eric Boullier.
"I was not consulted, I was informed," Alonso said at Silverstone.
"Stoffel was also informed. Of course, Zak wanted to know my opinion of Andrea and Gil, but I fully respect any of their decisions."
However, team executive Brown admits that McLaren could still be "years" away from winning.
"I don't know if it will be two, ten (years) or something in between, but realistically, it will take a while to solve it," he said.
"We have to be very realistic and honest to ourselves and our fans and say we have a long journey."
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Replies (6)
Login to replyajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Good. Although I really want Alonso to do Indy again, McLaren’s involvement makes no sense whatsoever at this stage.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Very much agree. To divert resources from F1 to Indy at a time like this is nonsensical.
And why does it not surprise me to hear that Alonso again put his Spanish nose into the politics, and helped oust Boullier. At this rate he could be a very suitable Game of Thrones character!
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Well regardless of who they put there, people were always going to assume Alonso was involved. That's just how things are these days. That's also how big of a character Alonso is a McLaren
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Yeah currently he IS McLaren.
denis1304
Posts: 284
would be much easier if Indy and Monaco aren't on same weekend next year
to bad he didn't run Indy this year since Honda engines didn't fail like last year
xoya
Posts: 583
Alonso to stay at F1 and at McLaren for 2019. As team boss. You read it here first. :)