IndyCar: Alonso, McLaren Confirm 2019 Indy 500 Entry, Details Unclear

Fernando Alonso’s future away from Formula 1 is slowly beginning to take shape after both the driver and his current team McLaren confirmed that they will return to take another shot at conquering the famed Indy500 race in 2019.

The same combination of team and driver entered the 2017 edition of the race held at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the United States and after fighting for the race lead for a healthy number of laps, Alonso retired with mechanical issues.

The Spanish racer announced in August he will leave F1 at the end of the 2018 season and was yet to reveal plans for the future after confirming that he looking at other forms of motorsport having achieved everything possible in F1.

The only thing confirmed for 2019 was his deal with Toyota Gazoo Racing in the World Endurance Championship, which will conclude with the Le Mans 24-hour race in June next year. The IndyCar Series was always an option, but Alonso made it clear he will not drive a full season in the American motor racing series.

The one thing the double F1 world champion was clear about is his desire to win the Triple Crown, especially since the Indy500 is the only one remaining on the list after having won the Monaco Grand Prix and the 24 hours of Le Mans.

Alonso is also delighted to be partnering McLaren again despite suggestions his relationship with the team, with whom he is currently racing in F1, had broken down owing to their inability to build a competitive car. He is certain it will be a huge challenge but is hoping that they will have better luck in 2019.

“I’ve made clear for some time my desire to achieve the Triple Crown," Alonso said, as quoted on the McLaren team’s official site. "I had an incredible experience at Indianapolis in 2017 and I knew in my heart of hearts I had to go back if the opportunity was there."

"I’m especially glad to be returning with McLaren," the Spaniard added. "This was always my first choice if the team decided to do it, so I’m delighted they’ve decided to go ahead. … It’s a tough race and we’ll be up against the best, so it will be a huge challenge. But we’re racers and that’s why we race. One of the things I’m looking forward to most is seeing the fans again, who are absolutely fantastic.”

McLaren were linked with a full-time return to IndyCar earlier in the year, more so after Alonso announced that he was leaving the sport. The team’s CEO Zak Brown dismissed talks about a full-time return in October but has now confirmed that they have “unfinished business” at Indy500 and are returning with the intention of winning the race.

“We are relishing our return to the Brickyard and this incredible race," Brown said. "McLaren has a long and fond relationship with the Indianapolis 500 and it’s a case of unfinished business for us with Fernando.”

“No Indy 500 is a cakewalk, it’s a massive challenge. We have the utmost respect for the race and our competitors. So, we are under no illusions. But McLaren are racers first and foremost, as is Fernando. We’re going for it.”

However, there are various questions that are yet to be answered ahead of their return to the Brickyard. In 2017, they used Honda engines and partnered with IndyCar veterans the Andretti Motorsports team. They are yet to reveal their engine partners for the 2019 edition — onlookers are more curious this time owing to their ugly split with Honda at the end of the 2017 F1 season.