Alonso returns to the Indianapolis 500
Fernando Alonso will participate in the 2020 edition of the Indianapolis 500 with the Arrow McLaren SP team.
The Spanish driver and the American team announced that they have reached an agreement to race together in the legendary Indianapolis 500. A third car will be provided for Alonso alongside the two main drivers, Patricio O’Ward and Oliver Askew.
The double Formula 1 world champion, double winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and World Endurance champion has never hidden his dream of winning the triple crown. By returning to Indianapolis for the third time, he will attempt to win this race and thus achieve the Holy Grail.
Alonso’s first steps at Indianapolis date back to 2017. He was then engaged with the Andretti team in a McLaren-Honda. After leading the race for 27 laps, the driver from Asturias had to retire due to an engine failure 21 laps from the finish.
Last year, Alonso attempted the Indy 500 again with McLaren, which had entered alone this time. However, Alonso did not manage to qualify to participate in the race.
For this third participation, the Spanish driver is very happy to return to the American track: “I am a competitor and the Indy 500 is the greatest race in the world,” he comments. “I love the incredible fans who make the event so special for all the drivers and who want me to come back. I have the utmost respect for this race and for everyone who participates in it, and all I want is to race against them by doing my best, as always.”
The third Arrow McLaren SP car driven by Alonso will carry the number 66 and will be sponsored by Ruoff Mortgage. The company was victorious 3 years ago in Indianapolis with Takuma Sato’s win.
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, welcomes the arrival of his former F1 driver to the new Arrow McLaren SP team: “We have always said we were open to having Fernando race in a third car for the Indy500, so we are thrilled that he has decided to join us. Fernando is one of the greatest drivers and it’s fantastic to see him as part of the team. It’s an excellent way to participate in our first Indy500 as Arrow McLaren SP, and having Ruoff Mortgage to support Fernando offers a perfect partnership.”
It should be noted that McLaren will fully participate in the Indycar championship this year, unlike past years 2019 and 2017 where the team only participated in the Indianapolis 500.
