Alonso handicapped by a broken clutch: “I am very proud of the work accomplished”

For his third attempt at the Indianapolis 500, Fernando Alonso (Arrow McLaren SP) saw the finish, which is progress compared to his non-qualification in 2019 and his retirement due to engine failure in 2017. But this is onlya 21st place which rewards the Spaniard's efforts.

“They didn’t give us a rest lap! We struggled from the start with the balance of the car and a lot of oversteer, explains the double winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

My first Indy500 completed! A great experience!
When we were already at half point of the comeback (P15 mid-race) we had a clutch failure..so every pit stop from there we had a manual start with mechanics pushing old school! Happy anyway! Thanks Indy pic.twitter.com/8wmAq2KhEi

- Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) August 23

We kept changing the balance settings during the pit stops, reducing the flap of the front wing, changing the tire set-up, as a result of which I felt more satisfied with the car. »

Starting from 26th row, the future driver Renault en Formula 1 then began an ascent. “On lap 110 I was 15th, which was a position we wanted to get to at this stage of the race. So it took us half of the 500 Miles to gain 11 places. »

The plan followed its course until a mechanical breakdown... “A clutch problem occurred, and we had no idea how to fix it. We finished the race without a clutch! »

The end of the Asturian’s effort was “old school,” to say the least. “At each pit stop, the mechanics had to push my car, I had to select the gear and go again. It cost us a lap and unfortunately, we were not able to catch up before the finish. »

Despite this outcome, Fernando Alonso kept smiling. “I’m happy to see the checkered flag, having finished the 500 Miles is positive. I think the Arrow McLaren SP team has been fantastic. The strategy has always allowed us to glean a few places. I am very proud of the work accomplished in recent weeks. »