F1's Alonso/Indy reaction shows its ignorance
Fernando Alonso's shock decision to skip the Monaco Grand Prix for the Indy 500 has left several people stunned, which doesn't reflect very well on those inside the F1 paddock
"At the first [world championship] United States Grand Prix, at Sebring in 1959," John Cooper said, "I met Rodger Ward, who had won the Indy 500 that year. He didn't know what road racing was all about, but he was big enough to admit it, and we became great friends. You must, he said, take your car to Indy...
"I'd never even thought about it. As far as I was concerned, Indy was a different world, and we had our hands full trying to win grands prix. With Brabham we won the world championship in '59 and '60, but for '61 there were new rules in Formula 1, and we hadn't a hope of being competitive with Ferrari, so Jack and I decided we didn't have much to lose. Bugger it, we said, let's do it - let's go to Indy and have some fun!"
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