Fernando Alonso to Ditch McLaren in IndyCar For Honda: Reports

The Indy 500 is the only race that Fernando Alonso needs to win, to complete the prestigious Triple Crown of Motorsport. If he does win, he will join an elite club, with Graham Hill as the only other person to win the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indy 500 and 24 Hours of Le Mans.

It is also worth mentioning that McLaren will be partnering with Arrow and Schmidt for the Indy 500 and even offered to buy a seat for Alonso in the 2019 edition. However, the Spaniard declined, as he was unwilling to replace a driver who had earned a spot in the race.

Previously, Fernando Alonso made two attempts to compete in the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing”, qualifying in fifth place in 2017 driving for Andretti Autosport. Unfortunately in 2019, he failed to qualify for the race driving for McLaren, but he is determined to race in the 500 and win it.

So far, Fernando Alonso’s options are limited to the two teams for which he has already driven: Andretti Autosport and McLaren. A McLaren entry would see the British outfit field a third car with Arrow McLaren Schmidt-Peterson. The team confirmed at that time that a car would be open for Alonso to compete in the Indy 500 if he wished to compete with them.

However, there has been a lot of tension between Honda and Alonso/McLaren during their tumultuous years in Formula 1 from 2015 to 2017. This also explained why Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports terminated their contract with Honda a year early as they had tied with the Woking-based team.

On the other hand, with Andretti Autosport being a Honda-powered team, is it even possible that Alonso could end up competing for the organization with the Japanese manufacturer seemingly still upset with him about their failed years in Formula 1 together?

Before signing up with Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, McLaren reportedly sought a partnership with Andretti Autosport, but Honda was still a bit sour about their Formula 1 debacle.

With the 2020 race looming on the horizon, Alonso’s best chance of competing and winning the Indy 500 would be with the team that helped him to qualify 5th, Andretti Autosport.