Alonso at Indy 500 with McLaren and Andretti

Fernando Alonso will make his first start at the 101st edition of the Indianapolis 500 held on May 28. The double world champion will be entered with McLaren and Andretti Autosport on a Honda-powered DW12 and will therefore miss the Monaco Grand Prix contested the same weekend.

“I'm really looking forward to competing in the Indy 500 this year with McLaren, Honda and Andretti, said Fernando Alonso. It's the biggest race in the world with 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Monaco Grand Prix and I obviously regret not being able to compete in the Monaco GP this year (due to a clash of dates). But this the only event of the season F1 that I will miss and I will be back for the Canadian Grand Prix at the beginning of June. »

“I have never driven aIndyCar and and I've never driven on a superspeedway, but I'm sure it's very fast and the grip is high. I have followed many IndyCar races and it is obvious that it takes great precision to move so close to the other cars at 200mph (354km/h). I realize I will have a lot to learn, but I will leave Barcelona immediately after the Spanish GP to train from May 15th. I hope I accumulate a lot of riding each day. I am proud to be involved with the Andretti Autosport team. »

Le Mans after Indianapolis?

“I have already won the Monaco Grand Prix twice (2006 and 2007) and my ambition is to win the “Triple Crown” with the Monaco GP, the Indy 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Only Graham Hill has achieved this in the history of motorsport. It's a difficult challenge, but I'm ready to take it on. I don't know when I will compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but I will do it one day. I'm only 35 and I have plenty of time left.", added Fernando Alonso.

McLaren will return to the Indianapolis 500 for the first time in 38 years, working with Michael Andretti, the owner of the team of the same name, who defended the interests of the British structure in F1 alongside Ayrton Senna in 1993. The Woking team must announce Fernando Alonso's replacement at the Monaco GP, but Jenson Button seems to be the favorite to drive the Asturian's MCL32.