McLaren will not enter full-time in IndyCar in 2019

McLaren had maintained the mystery surrounding his arrival across the Atlantic for months. Retirement announcement F1 de Fernando Alonso mid-August only reinforced the rumors of an arrival of the British brand in IndyCar with a complete program in association with a partner team like Andretti Autosport. The latter had driven the Spaniard during the 2017 edition of the Indianapolis 500.

Alonso reunited with Andretti in early September for a test at the Barber road course in Alabama. However, complications quickly arose, notably concerning the financing of a complete American campaign and the identity of the engine manufacturer who would power Alonso. 

Remember that the double world champion defends in the World ChampionshipEndurance the colors of Toyota, which would take a dim view of an alliance with rival Honda, Andretti's current engine supplier in IndyCar. At the same time, it is also not certain that the Sakura firm has good memories of the Iberian's acerbic remarks during his recent F1 partnership with McLaren. 

While the British team is stuck in a negative spiral on the Grand Prix scene, the decision was made not to disperse itself on several fronts. 

« We have chosen not to compete in IndyCar full-time in 2019, declared Zak Brown, boss of McLaren Racing, from Austin. We are simply not ready and are fully focused on the F1 program. 

We want to ride in the USA in the near future, as I have already mentioned. As for the Indianapolis 500, the event retains real appeal in our eyes. We will decide the question during the offseason. Fernando wants to come back but for the moment our priority is F1. Until our performance improves here, the situation will not change ». 

After imposing itself on 24 Hours of Le Mans Earlier this year, Alonso was more motivated than ever to win the Indy 500 and join Graham Hill in the very exclusive club of Triple Crown holders.