Alonso will not do full IndyCar season in 2020 for his Indy 500 bid
Fernando Alonso has no plans to contest the full IndyCar season next year as part of his on-going bid to complete the unofficial triple crown of motorsport
The two-time Formula 1 world champion has revealed that if he returns to the Indy 500 in 2020, after his failure to qualify this year with McLaren, it will again be as a one-off.
Alonso had previously stated that a full season in IndyCar was an option for next year, but he has now explained that he is not ready to make the commitment to do the full championship.
"If I do Indy, a one-off will be the approach again," Alonso said. "To do the full season at the moment is too much of a commitment in terms of races," he said.
"If you go there you should be in contention; you are not a tourist."
He explained that doing the full season would involve him racing at multiple new venues which would require extra preparation.
Alonso also dismissed the idea of contesting the races on the IndyCar schedule ahead of Indy to prepare for the big race.
"To do four or five races as preparation doesn't make sense because Indy is the first oval of the championship," he explained.
"There are no other oval races you can do before to prepare — I think a one-off is enough."
Alonso remained non-committal on whether he would go back to Indy with McLaren's nascent IndyCar squad.
"I will have to see what the possibilities are," he said. "If I go back to Indy, I will explore whatever possibilities there are and then choose the most competitive one."
McLaren boss Zak Brown has stressed that its plans for Indy and the series have never been tied to Alonso.
"Whether Fernando wanted to drive for us or not wouldn't drive our decision on whether we go back to Indy," he said in the aftermath of the team's 500 non-qualification last month.
Ex-F1 driver Ericsson didn't expect steep IndyCar learning curve
Carlin's Chilton stands down from remaining 2019 IndyCar oval races
Las Vegas approves plan to shut Strip for F1 race until 2032
Officials in Las Vegas have approved a plan to shut the Strip for the Formula 1 grand prix for the next 10 years as they eye a “lifetime in partnership.”
Porsche boss “as surprised as anyone” over Gulf-Williams F1 social media frenzy
Porsche’s head of motorsport Thomas Laudenbach found it “funny” that streamlining its Instagram channels caused a Formula 1 social media speculation frenzy last month.
Why Albon won't be "throwing around laptops" to gain a 2023 F1 edge
OPINION: At the Williams 2023 Formula 1 season launch, Alex Albon’s easy-going nature was again a point of focus. But does being “too nice” really matter in modern F1? Albon’s own expressions put that in an intriguing new light
Why Alfa Romeo has kept its blade roll hoop on 2023 F1 car
The Alfa Romeo Formula 1 team has retained its unique blade roll hoop for the C43 but designed it to withstand load tests that the FIA will introduce in 2024.
Nigel Mansell’s greatest F1 and Indycar drives
It’s 30 years since Mansell won the Formula 1 world title and then headed off to do battle in America. Here are his best races – and the Briton’s memories of them
How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled
Chip Ganassi Racing team was strong again in the Indianapolis 500, with poleman Scott Dixon and reigning champion Alex Palou leading almost three quarters of the race between them. But when dominator Dixon was penalised for pitlane speeding, ex-Formula 1 driver Marcus Ericsson stepped up to score the biggest win of his career and seize the IndyCar points lead
Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021
In an enthralling 2021 IndyCar campaign, the series bounced back from its COVID-19 truncated year prior and Alex Palou defeated both the established order and his fellow young guns to clinch a maiden title. It capped a remarkable season with plenty of standout performers
How F1's other IndyCar exile finally unlocked his potential
Romain Grosjean's swashbuckling rookie year in IndyCar captured the imagination of many in 2021. But another ex-Formula 1 driver whose potential was masked by five years of toil in, at best, middling machinery also enjoyed a breakout year in 2021 - winning twice and finishing sixth in points. Here's how Marcus Ericsson finally delivered on his promise
How Ganassi's relentless new champion outfoxed IndyCar's best
IndyCar sophomore Alex Palou stunned by overcoming team-mate Scott Dixon and the rest of a white-hot field in 2021. He was consistently fast and crucially showed a level head, rebounding well from setbacks to put himself in a near unassailable position entering the final round
Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?
Despite appearing to have an IndyCar job for life with Meyer Shank Racing, Jack Harvey’s departure and move to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing sparked plenty of debate. However, Harvey's and RLL's combined strengths could prove to be a winning combination - if they get the balance right
Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing IndyCar win
Saturday 16 October marks the 10th anniversary of Dan Wheldon’s death. David Malsher-Lopez pays tribute, then asks Wheldon’s race engineer from 2011, Todd Malloy, to recall that magical second victory at the Indianapolis 500
Why Kyle Kirkwood is America's new IndyCar ace-in-waiting
Kyle Kirkwood, the record-setting junior formula driver, sealed the Indy Lights championship last weekend. But despite an absurdly strong junior career and scholarship money, his next move is far from clear
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.