IndyCar: Honda Won't Help Alonso's 2019 Entry, Scott Dixon Crowned 2018 Champion

Fernando Alonso’s plans to potentially race in the IndyCar Series in 2019 have stalled after reaching an impasse in the search for an engine supplier for the 2019 season. Honda, who were the most likely suppliers, are said to be against supplying engines for his entry next season.

The Spaniard announced in August he will leave Formula 1 at the end of the 2018 season after spending 17 years in the sport in search of other challenges in a different category of motor racing.

And it is no secret that Alonso is determined in his quest to become the second driver after Graham Hill to win motorsport’s fabled Triple Crown – that entails winning the Monaco Grand Prix, the LeMans 24-hours and the Indy500. He checked the second box by claiming the LeMans earlier this year – the Spaniard has won the Monaco GP twice in 2006 and 2007.

Conquering "the Brickyard," as the Indianapolis motor speedway is famously known, is next on Alonso’s agenda, but it is not known if he will only compete in the one-off race like he did in 2017 or do full season.

Alonso partnered his current McLaren team and a Honda powered Andretti Racing car in 2017, where after leading 27 laps, his power unit popped with 21 laps remaining in the race. Mario Andretti is eager to bring the Spaniard back to the American motor racing series and has even offered to run a team with him as one of the full-time drivers.

Alonso also recently completed his first IndyCar test on a road course using an Andretti Motorsport car powered by Honda at the Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama.

However, according to Autosport, Honda are not open to supplying power units to a team fronted by the Spaniard. It is claimed many inside Japanese manufacturer are against the idea owing to their fractured relationship during their three years together in F1 with McLaren.

Alonso was openly critical of the Honda power unit during their failed three-year partnership with McLaren in F1. He was often heard criticizing their lack of power and the sketchy reliability.

Apart from their relationship, Alonso driving for Japanese rival Toyota in the 2018 and 2019 World Endurance Championship is said to be a sticking point. The Honda Performance Development (HPD) also indicated they are stretched thin when it comes to the amount of engines they can supply, another element said to be hindering a potential partnership between Honda and McLaren in IndyCar in 2019.

Meanwhile, McLaren CEO Zak Brown, is still not certain if they will enter IndyCar full-time in 2019. He admitted they are getting everything finalized, but made it clear there are various things that have to “fall into place” before they confirm their participation.

If Honda are unable to provide the power units to power Alonso’s car, an association with Chevrolet are also being explored. But that deal becomes complicated because Andretti, who are expected to be McLaren’s partners in IndyCar are powered by Honda.

The American engine manufacturers, however, are open to a partnership with McLaren and Alonso. They have won a title with Andretti in the past and are not opposed to rekindling their relationship.

While Alonso’s IndyCar conundrum continues in the background, the 2018 IndyCar Series came to conclusion on Sunday. Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon was crowned the champion for the fifth time in his career, making him the second most successful driver in terms of titles – only behind AJ Foyt, who has seven IndyCar Championship titles.