Indy 500: Possible landing spots for Fernando Alonso in 2020

By Asher Fair | Dec 29, 2019

LE MANS, FRANCE - JUNE 16: Fernando Alonso celebrates as he and co-drivers Kazuki Nakajima and Sebastien Buemi take the flag in their Toyota Gazoo Racing TS050 Hybrid to secure the win during the Le Mans 24 Hour Race at the Circuit de la Sarthe on June 16, 2019 in Le Mans, France. (Photo by Ker Robertson/Getty Images) /

Amid several rumors about the future of the two-time Formula 1 champion, one thing is clear: Fernando Alonso is set to return to the Indy 500. But for which team will he be driving?

Two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso has been the subject of several rumors throughout the Formula 1 offseason even with the season having just ended four weeks ago today and the 2020 season not scheduled to get underway for another two and a half months or so.

The main rumor pertains to the idea of the 38-year-old Spaniard potentially returning to Formula 1 in the 2021 season if the right opportunity should arise, and it is a rumor that Alonso, who retired from the sport after the 2018 season, himself has heated up.

A more recent rumor was started as a result of a suggestion by Alonso’s former Ferrari Formula 1 teammate Felipe Massa. Massa, who retired from Formula 1 after the 2017 season, made the switch to Formula E and signed a three-year deal with Venturi ahead of the 2018-2019 season. He is currently in his second season driving for the team.

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The 38-year-old Brazilian believes that Alonso could consider making the move the relatively new FIA-sanctioned all-electric series if a Formula 1 return does not pan out.

But amid all of the rumors and uncertainty, it is important to not lose focus of what we do, in fact, know about the future plans of one of the most well-rounded drivers the racing world has ever seen. Shortly after the 2019 season ended in early December, Alonso confirmed that he absolutely intends to be back at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 in May of 2020.

Alonso has made two attempts to compete in the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing”, qualifying in fifth place in 2017 driving for Andretti Autosport via a partnership with McLaren before leading 27 laps but being knocked out of competition with a late engine failure. In 2019, he failed to qualify for the race driving for McLaren.

The Indy 500 is the only race of the Triple Crown of Motorsport that Alonso has not won. He is a two-time winner of the Monaco Grand Prix and a two-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Only Graham Hill has ever won all three races.

Here is what he had to say about a return to the Brickyard to try to join Hill in this exclusive group in 2020, according to BBC.

"“Indy is the only one missing. If I do that after winning Le Mans, WEC, Daytona, there is nothing more I could ask. Definitely I will try again.”"

But for which team would he compete? It should come as no surprise that his top two options are the two teams for which he has already driven: Andretti Autosport and McLaren.

Here is what he had to say about the matter.

"“They are not the only options but for sure they are the strongest two. I have a loyalty to McLaren and there is also how good I felt in Andretti, and I feel part of that staff and team. I have a very good relationship there.”"

A McLaren entry would be a third entry with Arrow McLaren SP, the Chevrolet-powered team formed when McLaren formed a partnership with the Honda-powered Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports team back in August. The two-car team confirmed at that time that a car would be open for Alonso to compete in the Indy 500 if he wants to do so.

Due to the tension between Honda and Alonso/McLaren during their years in Formula 1 together from 2015 to 2017, Honda did not provide engines for their 2019 Indy 500 bid, with the team being forced to go with Chevrolet.

This is also the primary reason why Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports ultimately ended their contract with Honda a year early upon forming this new partnership 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?

Prior to aligning with Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, McLaren reportedly sought a partnership with Andretti Autosport, but it was Honda’s unwillingness to move on from this Formula 1 debacle that prevented this deal from taking place.

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Will Fernando Alonso be back at Indianapolis 500 for the 104th running of the Indy 500 on Sunday, May 24, 2020 like he intends to? That certainly looks likely, but for which team will he end up attempting to secure his third and final crown jewel win in the Triple Crown of Motorsport?