<< Return to the news list

Alonso to race at Indy 500 instead of Monaco GP

Published on 12 Apr 2017 12:05
9
By: Fergal Walsh

Fernando Alonso has confirmed that he will be missing this year's Monaco Grand Prix and will instead be racing in the Indy 500, one of the three races on the Triple Crown of Motorsport.

It is not yet clear who will replace Alonso at McLaren for the event, however, they have reserve driver Jenson Button on hand as an ambassador and reserve driver.

Alonso will race a McLaren entry run by the Honda-affiliated Andretti Autosport IndyCar team, lead by former F1 racer Michael Andretti.

"I'm immensely excited that I'll be racing in this year's Indy 500, with McLaren, Honda and Andretti Autosport," said Alonso.

"The Indy 500 is one of the most famous races on the global motorsport calendar, rivalled only by the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Monaco Grand Prix, and it's of course a regret of mine that I won't be able to race at Monaco this year.

"But Monaco will be the only 2017 Grand Prix I'll be missing, and I'll be back in the cockpit of the McLaren-Honda MCL32 for the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal in early June."

McLaren has won the Indy 500 before, back in 1974 and '76 with Johnny Rutherford. It's been 23 years since a driver last raced in both a Formula 1 and the Indy 500 in the same season, with that honour going to Nigel Mansell.

Michael Andretti, CEO, Andretti Autosport: “It’s a great honour to partner with McLaren for the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500 and to bring Fernando into one of our Andretti Autosport Hondas. I want to thank Zak [Brown], Honda and McLaren for this tremendous opportunity.

"We've been working very closely in the planning of this new partnership and I believe we've laid the foundation for a successful month of May. We're looking forward to giving Fernando an effort in reaching one of his biggest career goals of winning the Indy 500."

McLaren returns to Indianapolis with Honda & Andretti Autosport. Fernando will drive in #Indy500: https://t.co/LLKMVlJfcc #McLarenIndy pic.twitter.com/2CSc3vnFHC
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) April 12, 2017

Fergal Walsh

menios

Posts: 12

But the question is who will replace him in Monaco GP? I hope it will be JB!

1
Apr 13 2017 - 09:17

F1 News Fernando Alonso Lewis Hamilton McLaren Renault Ferrari Honda

Replies (9)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Surely this is a jest? I could see him skip many races, e.g the Canadian GP ( I like the GP, but the straights will be a pain for McLaren), but Monaco's GP?
- + 0
- Apr 12 2017 - 12:30
f1fan0101

Posts: 1,804
Wow.. Incredible and fantastic news
- + 0
- Apr 12 2017 - 12:34
mclarenfan1968

Posts: 1,027
Now this I like to see.
- + 0
- Apr 12 2017 - 14:37
talktohenry

Posts: 362
Great idea..................Brill........ and we need way more of this FA is a racer and wants to be in a winning car and why not?
- + 0
- Apr 12 2017 - 14:53
talktohenry

Posts: 362
Anyone know what TV station has the race on?
- + 0
- Apr 12 2017 - 14:54
- f1fan0101
  
  Posts: 1,804
  I think Indycar races are streamed on youtube.. If not there will be plenty of streams around the place
  + 0
  
  Apr 12 2017 - 16:29
f1dave

Posts: 782
Sounds like a step on the long road down. Next step down will be Formula E.
- + 0
- Apr 12 2017 - 17:10
denis1304

Posts: 284
they pay him $hit load of money and now have to let him do "kubica" move... Alonso, respect
- + 0
- Apr 12 2017 - 19:22
menios

Posts: 12
But the question is who will replace him in Monaco GP? I hope it will be JB!
- + 1
- Apr 13 2017 - 09:17