Formula 1: Will Fernando Alonso return to the Indy 500 in 2019?

Two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso drove in the Indy 500 for the first time last year. Will he do so again in 2019?

Two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso grew increasingly frustrated with his McLaren team and their Honda engines early last season. Through five races, he had started just four of them and finished only one of them, and that lone finish was only a 12th place result in the Spanish Grand Prix.

As a result of this, he and McLaren teamed up with Andretti Autosport in IndyCar, and Alonso ended up making his debut in the Indianapolis 500 while Jenson Button took his place in the Monaco Grand Prix, the most prestigious race on the Formula 1 calendar.

Alonso qualified for this race, which was his first career IndyCar race, in 5th place. He ended up leading 27 of its laps before his race was ended with just 21 laps to go on lap 180 of its 200 laps as a result of an engine failure. He was officially scored in 24th.

With recent reports suggesting that Alonso will likely not be returning to McLaren as one of their two full-time drivers in the 2019 Formula 1 season, with some reports even naming 18-year-old Lando Norris as his replacement, is a return to the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” looking like a reality for the 36-year-old Spaniard next year?

In January, Alonso stated that he was eyeing a return to the Indy 500 and that he believed it would be great if he could drive in the race again in 2019. Here is what he had to say on the matter, according to Motorsport Week.

"“The main focus and priority is Formula 1 and winning a third world championship. I think this year with McLaren we have a good opportunity to show how good is the team with the Renault power unit, we should be back to the top places. That is the main focus.“To race in some iconic events during the season and not disturb Formula 1 is also the plan,” he added. “Doing this race [Daytona] is also some kind of first step in endurance and how these races are and how much I enjoy these races.“After the 24 hours at Daytona, I will have a better understanding of these championships. Le Mans 24 hour and the triple crown is another target, so if I can fit the Le Mans 24 hour this year as I’m not doing the Indy 500, that would be great. Hopefully the following year, the Indy 500 can be in the plan again.”"