Why Alonso's latest McLaren reunion has cause for optimism
After a promising debut in 2017 was followed by last year's disaster, Fernando Alonso returns to the Indianapolis 500 for a third time with Arrow McLaren SP. Despite a hefty practice crash and a lowly qualifying, his triple crown dream is not unrealistic
It was inevitable that someone this month would eventually ask McLaren CEO Zak Brown what lessons had been learned from the team's disastrous venture to Indianapolis in 2019, that resulted in Fernando Alonso's failure to qualify. He went into quite a long explanation, but he didn't need to: he had already nailed the answer in one sentence: "I think the biggest lesson we've learned is, 'Don't do what we did last year.'"
And they haven't. The partnership with Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports to form Arrow McLaren SP made so much sense and it's already bearing fruit. Despite hiring two hugely inexperienced IndyCar drivers - albeit, the last two Indy Lights champions - the team has already earned a pole and runner-up finish with Patricio 'Pato' O'Ward at Road America, and Oliver Askew delivered a podium finish at Iowa Speedway.
Share Or Save This Story
The long evolution of Dallara's Indy 500 winner
How to be an ace engineer: Leading IndyCar race engineer Michael Cannon
IMSA Laguna Seca: Ganassi Cadillac holds off Tandy Porsche for victory
Palou surprised IndyCar rivals didn’t use his winning tyre strategy in Indy GP
IndyCar Indy GP: Palou beats McLaren drivers to claim points lead
Lundgaard: I can call Indy GP track "home” after maiden IndyCar pole
IndyCar Indy GP: Lundgaard beats Rosenqvist, Palou for first pole
IndyCar Indy GP: Palou tops second practice, Rahal Letterman Lanigan shines again
WEC Imola: Fuoco completes Ferrari's practice sweep in red-flagged FP3
WRC Croatia: Neuville edges clear of Evans, Ogier in pursuit
Aston Martin protests F1 Chinese GP qualifying results after Sainz red flag crash
Ferrari F1 drivers split over China sprint race clash talks
The apprenticeship that will aid Ilott's IndyCar to WEC switch at Jota
The long evolution of Dallara's Indy 500 winner
Nigel Mansell’s greatest F1 and Indycar drives
How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled
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.
