McLaren’s Bold Move: Zak Brown Eyes a Fernando Alonso Comeback at the Indy 500!
In a sensational twist that has motorsport fans buzzing, McLaren’s CEO Zak Brown has thrown down the gauntlet, expressing his fervent desire to reunite with the legendary Fernando Alonso at the illustrious Indianapolis 500. The prospect of this reunion sends shivers down the spines of racing enthusiasts, as Alonso’s storied history with McLaren is nothing short of captivating.
Alonso first donned the McLaren colors back in 2007, but his inaugural season was marred by the drama of competing alongside rookie sensation Lewis Hamilton. The tensions of that year led to an early exit, but fate intertwined their paths once more in 2015 when McLaren inked a deal with Honda. Unfortunately, the collaboration was fraught with underwhelming performances, leaving the two-time world champion yearning for more triumph on the track.
Yet, Alonso’s indomitable spirit shone brightly when he opted to skip the Monaco Grand Prix in 2017 to chase the glory of the Indianapolis 500. Teaming up with Andretti and Honda, he was a fierce contender for victory until an engine failure cruelly dashed his dreams. He made another valiant attempt in 2019, only to face heartbreak as he was dramatically bumped out of qualifying.
As the current Formula 1 season unfolds, Alonso finds himself without a contract with Aston Martin beyond this year, opening the door for McLaren to seize the opportunity of reuniting with the racing icon. Brown is keenly aware of this window, stating, “This is his last contractual year; it doesn’t mean he won’t continue in F1. But I talk to him about it [the Indy 500] every time I see him.” His confidence in Alonso’s capabilities is palpable: “I think we’ve got a car that can win the Indy 500. I think he’s very capable of winning the Indy 500.”
Should Alonso conquer the Indianapolis 500, he would etch his name in history, becoming only the second driver ever to achieve the coveted ‘Triple Crown’ of motorsport. While Alonso has yet to reveal any definitive plans to return to Indianapolis, the 44-year-old has been extended an open invitation from McLaren. Brown reminisced fondly about their past collaborations, saying, “I thoroughly enjoyed racing with him here; he enjoyed it all but one of the years. He loved the first year; it was magic. I’d love to see Fernando back at the Indy 500 with us, and that is something I’ll continue to bug him about.”
As the motorsport world watches with bated breath, the potential of a Fernando Alonso and McLaren reunion at the Indy 500 looms large. Could this be the comeback that racing fans have been waiting for? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the Indy 500 just got a lot more interesting.
