McLaren F1 driver Alonso says Indy 500 outing only positive of 2017
McLaren Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso says his Indianapolis 500 outing has been the only positive moment from the first half of the 2017 season
Alonso made his debut in IndyCar's blue riband event in May, starring in qualifying and the race before retiring with an engine problem near the end.
But the Spaniard and McLaren have struggled all year in F1, scoring just two points in the first 10 races of a season plagued by reliability issues with its Honda engine.
The two-time champion has seen the chequered flags just three times so far in 2017, while a ninth-place finish in Baku is his best result.
When asked about the positive moments of the first half of the season, Alonso said: "Yes, the Indy 500."
Pushed for positives beyond that, he replied: "No. We expected to be much more competitive and we are not delivering what our expectations were.
"We are working very hard to improve the situation as soon as possible, but it's definitely tough."
Alonso's current contract with McLaren expires at the end of the year and he is yet to decide if he will continue with the Woking team, saying he wants to be in a position to win races in 2018.
With the options of securing a drive with a frontrunning team looking slim, Alonso said a future in IndyCar was possible, but insisted staying in F1 remained his priority and that he was open to moving to "any team" to win his third title.
"It [IndyCar] is there, it's one possibility. I've always said I'm very open to what may come in the future," Alonso added.
"My priority is still Formula 1 and winning the third championship, but I'm open to find the way in any team to achieve that.
"I'm open to see another series if that is not possible for next year, so let's see in one month or one month and a half.
"I want to win next year and to win we need some good changes here, many changes here.
"If those happen there'll be a possibility that I stay and that's something that I will have to consider in September."
Lewis Hamilton wants 'special' Robert Kubica to race in F1 again
Honda in talks with F1 teams and linked to possible Toro Rosso deal
NASCAR bans Chastain Martinsville wall-ride manoeuvre
NASCAR has decided to ban the wall-ride manoeuvre made famous by Ross Chastain at Martinsville that secured him a place in the Championship 4.
Gasly: Mindset for Alpine is "completely different" to Red Bull F1 move
Pierre Gasly says he has a "completely different" mindset for his Alpine Formula 1 move thanks to lessons taken from his failed stint at Red Bull in 2019.
GTD Pro win a “proper send-off” for retiring IMSA stalwart MacNeil
Winning the GTD Pro class at the Daytona 24 Hours was a fitting way for Cooper MacNeil to retire from racing in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, says team-mate Jules Gounon.
The all-French F1 partnership that Ocon and Gasly hope to emulate
Alpine’s signing of Pierre Gasly alongside Esteban Ocon revives memories of a famous all-French line-up, albeit in the red of Ferrari, for BEN EDWARDS. Can the former AlphaTauri man's arrival help the French team on its path back to winning ways in a tribute act to the Prancing Horse's title-winning 1983?
The all-French F1 partnership that Ocon and Gasly hope to emulate
Alpine’s signing of Pierre Gasly alongside Esteban Ocon revives memories of a famous all-French line-up, albeit in the red of Ferrari, for BEN EDWARDS. Can the former AlphaTauri man's arrival help the French team on its path back to winning ways in a tribute act to the Prancing Horse's title-winning 1983?
How do the best races of F1 2022 stack up to 2021?
OPINION: A system to score all the grands prix from the past two seasons produces some interesting results and sets a standard that 2023 should surely exceed
Who were the fastest drivers in F1 2022?
Who was the fastest driver in 2022? Everyone has an opinion, but what does the stopwatch say? Obviously, differing car performance has an effect on ultimate laptime – but it’s the relative speed of each car/driver package that’s fascinating and enlightening says ALEX KALINAUCKAS
Why F1's nearly man is refreshed and ready for his return
He has more starts without a podium than anyone else in Formula 1 world championship history, but Nico Hulkenberg is back for one more shot with Haas. After spending three years on the sidelines, the revitalised German is aiming to prove to his new team what the F1 grid has been missing
The potential-laden F1 car that Ferrari neglected
The late Mauro Forghieri played a key role in Ferrari’s mid-1960s turnaround, says STUART CODLING, and his pretty, intricate 1512 was among the most evocative cars of the 1.5-litre era. But a victim of priorities as Formula 1 was deemed less lucrative than success in sportscars, its true potential was never seen in period
Why Vasseur relishes 'feeling the pressure' as Ferrari's F1 boss
OPINION: Fred Vasseur has spent only a few weeks as team principal for the Ferrari Formula 1 team, but is already intent on taking the Scuderia back to the very top. And despite it being arguably the most demanding job in motorsport, the Frenchman is relishing the challenge
The crucial tech changes F1 teams must adapt to in 2023
Changes to the regulations for season two of Formula 1's ground-effects era aim to smooth out last year’s troubles and shut down loopholes. But what areas have been targeted, and what impact will this have?
Are these the 50 quickest drivers in F1 history?
Who are the quickest drivers in Formula 1 history? LUKE SMITH asked a jury of experienced and international panel of experts and F1 insiders. Some of them have worked closely with F1’s fastest-ever drivers – so who better to vote on our all-time top 50? We’re talking all-out speed here rather than size of trophy cabinet, so the results may surprise you…
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.