Alonso at Indy 500: madness for Christian Horner

The announcement of the presence of Fernando Alonso at Indy 500 continues to cause a lot of talk in the Bahrain paddock. The double world champion will try to start the famous American race on May 28, on a car Andretti Autosport with the support of McLaren and Honda.

If the pilots IndyCar seem in phase with the arrival of the McLaren driver, Christian horner was much more reserved yesterday during the press conference of team managers on the Sakhir track.

“It's difficult for Fernando, emphasizes Horner. Zak has the problem of having a depressed pilot. He tries to keep him motivated. He proposed this idea of ​​sending it to Indianapolis. He must be completely crazy, it's the most unique race ever seen.

Without testing. He'll just get in the car. Turn 1 is a real turn. It's not at full blast all the time. I think he needs to see a psychiatrist. »

What Zak Brown, executive director of McLaren, responded immediately. “Fernando is not afraid. No, he's going to do some tests. He learns about Indianapolis. It's obviously a challenge, but he wants a challenge. A rookie driver won it last year (Alexander Red, with Andretti Herta Autosport).

We are not going to define objectives. He will have a car capable of racing at the front. He will be extremely prepared and I think he will put on a good show. He's very smart and that's what you need for Indianapolis. »

Red Bull inflexible

The Red Bull Racing Team Principal also indicated that the Milton Keynes team would not have the same approach as McLaren in relation to its drivers. “Would we allow our pilots to do this: no.

I think if a driver joins a team...it's a bit like disappearing with another girlfriend halfway through the year and then coming back. It doesn't seem to me that this is the right thing to do.

Maybe if there are no date conflicts or do it at the end of his career Formula 1, but obviously McLaren had this approach which is different from ours, but good for them. »