Boullier: Indy 500 is essential for Alonso

Fernando Alonso chose to defend the colors of McLaren-Honda at Indy 500 on May 28 instead of the Monaco Grand Prix where he will be replaced by Jenson Button. Lacking results in F1, the fault of an unreliable and poorly performing MCL32, the Asturian received the complete support of his team in his desire to conquer the Triple Crown (Monaco, Indy 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans).

Éric Boullier, McLaren-Honda Team Principal, has responded to criticism pejoratively assessing Fernando Alonso's entry into the Indianapolis 500.

“Some say it’s a communications operation, a smokescreen, that kind of thing… but above all it allows him to stay motivated, underlined Éric Boullier. It's not about money or lifestyle. This boy is competent in everything he does, even when he races karting on Sunday on his circuit, and he will be just as happy during this meeting as ten years ago. »

“We do not want to break or lose his performances driven by the passion that drives him, continued Éric Boullier. The only way to keep this flame alive is to give it some breathing space and allow it to do something radical that reignites its competitiveness. »

Fernando Alonso will be entered in the Indy 500 with the Andretti Autosport team. The McLaren driver will make his first tests on Wednesday May 3.