I have three options in Indycar – Alonso
Full season in the IndyCar series, a one-off entry to the 2019 Indy 500 or a simple no to the famous American single-seater series. Fernando Alonso thinks that these three options make up the list which he can choose from when he makes the final decision over his post-Formula One future.
Fernando Alonso has already made his debut to the fabled Indy 500 race in 2017 and finished in the 29th after his Honda engine went up in smoke in the closing stages of the race. The Spaniard is currently completing his 17th season in Formula One, but announced in August that he would leave the sport at the end of the year.
The two-time world champion has been committed to the 2018/2019 superseason of the World Endurance Championship which will end in June next year. Alonso has been tipped to join the Indycar series for a full season, probably with McLaren which could join forces with an already existing team.
The Oviedo-born driver completed his first test on a road circuit last week. The car was supplied by Andretti Autosport, the team which partnered with McLaren for Alonso’s 2017 entry to the Indy 500. He was delighted with the outcome of the test.
"It was something that I was looking for last year already and I had some options to test the car on a road course after the Indy 500," he said. "We didn't find the time but this year it's definitely happened now and I'm happy for this. I love being behind a steering wheel, and definitely a new car, a new experience, learning a lot of things from the team, the engineers, everyone, so a happy day.
"I love to test new cars and to test the IndyCar on a road course is something special. I've been lucky enough to test it in wet conditions, in intermediate conditions and in dry conditions, so overall I had a good feeling on every type of track. The weather was good for us today -- a little bit of wind in the afternoon but overall a positive day."
Alonso clearly wants to complete the motorsport’s triple crown which includes victories in the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix, the 24 Hours of Le Man and the Indianapolis 500. Of these, the McLaren driver only misses the triumph on American soil. Asked about his plans, Alonso refused to hint at what he will do in 2019 next to his WEC commitments.
"It's the same for me, I could do the full series, I could do one race or I could do nothing. I will study all three possibilities."
