Beyond the Flag
Fansided

Indy 500: McLaren, two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso to return in 2019

By Asher Fair

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 26: Fernando Alonso of Spain, driver of the #29 Chandon Honda (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 26: Fernando Alonso of Spain, driver of the #29 Chandon Honda (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

McLaren are set to return to the Indy 500 in the 2019 IndyCar season, and two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso is set to drive for the team once again.

After ending a 38-year absence by partnering with Andretti Autosport to field an entry in the 2017 Indianapolis 500 for two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso, McLaren did not return to compete in the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” in 2018.

However, the Woking-based team are set to return to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the crown jewel of the IndyCar schedule in the 2019 season, and once again, the 37-year-old Spaniard is set to be their driver. They are set to return to the race, which is the 103rd running of the Indy 500, as McLaren Racing.

Here is what Alonso had to say about the opportunity to return to the Indy 500 driving for McLaren Racing in 2019, according to IndyCar.

"“I’ve made clear for some time my desire to achieve the Triple Crown. 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 am especially glad to be returning with McLaren. This was always my first choice if the team decided to do it, so I’m delighted they have 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.”"

Here is what McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown had to say about the team returning to the Indy 500 and fielding an entry for Alonso, according to IndyCar.

"“We are relishing our return to the Brickyard and this incredible race. 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.”"

More details regarding the return of McLaren Racing and Alonso to the Indy 500 are set to be released at a later time.

More from IndyCar

Alonso, who is a two-time champion of the Monaco Grand Prix, won the 24 Hours of Le Mans this past June, meaning he is just an Indy 500 victory away from becoming just the second driver to win each of the three races of the “Triple Crown of Motorsport”. Only Graham Hill has ever done so.

In last year’s Indy 500, which was Alonso’s first career IndyCar race and his first career oval race, he qualified and started in fifth place. He led 27 of the first 179 laps of the race around the four-turn, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval in Speedway, Indiana, but an engine failure on lap 180 with just 21 laps to go forced him to retire. He was officially scored in 24th.

Next. Top 10 Indianapolis 500 drivers of all-time. dark

The 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 26, 2019, and it is set to be broadcast live on NBC beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET. Be sure to tune in to the race to see how Fernando Alonso will perform in his second career Indy 500 race and his second career IndyCar race in his quest to become the second driver ever to win each of the three races in the “Triple Crown of Motorsport”.