Zak Brown “would love” Indy 500 reunion with Fernando Alonso

Alonso, currently 44 and in the final year of his contract with Aston Martin in Formula 1, has not competed in "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" since 2020. His three prior attempts, all supported by McLaren, saw him come agonizingly close to victory in his debut. The prospect of Alonso making another bid for the Indy 500 trophy, a win that would complete the legendary Triple Crown, continues to be a recurring topic of discussion between the driver and the McLaren chief.

Zak Brown’s comments were made during a media roundtable at the grand opening of the new McLaren Racing Center, the state-of-the-art facility serving as the new home for the Arrow McLaren IndyCar operation. When questioned by Motorsport.com regarding a potential reunion with Alonso, Brown expressed enthusiasm for the idea, stating, "I talk to him about it like every time I see him. I think we’ve got a car that can win the Indy 500. And I think he’s very capable of winning the Indy 500. I thoroughly enjoyed racing with him here. He enjoyed it all but one of the years, but loved the first year. I mean, it was magic. I’d love to see Fernando back at the Indy 500 with us. That is something I’ll continue to bug him about."

Alonso’s journey at Indianapolis began with considerable fanfare in 2017. Driving the #29 McLaren-Honda-Andretti entry, he impressed observers by qualifying fifth for the race. Throughout the event, Alonso demonstrated exceptional adaptability to oval racing, leading 27 laps and consistently running among the front-runners. His performance placed him firmly in contention for victory until an engine failure on Lap 179, with just 21 laps remaining, forced his retirement while running seventh. Despite the mechanical setback, his debut earned him top rookie honors and widespread acclaim for his skill and commitment.

Following this promising debut, Alonso returned for the 2019 edition, this time with a full McLaren Racing entry, supported by Carlin, under the #66 banner. This attempt, however, proved challenging. The team struggled with pace throughout practice and qualifying, ultimately failing to make the 33-car field on "Bump Day," a significant setback that drew considerable attention and scrutiny.

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His most recent participation came in 2020, a year uniquely impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the race delayed until August and held without spectators. For this effort, Alonso raced under the Arrow McLaren SP banner, an iteration of the team that had by then established a full-time presence in the NTT IndyCar Series. Driving the #66 car, he qualified 26th and completed the race without incident, finishing 21st. While a solid, clean run, it did not replicate the competitive edge he displayed in 2017.

The pursuit of the Triple Crown of Motorsport remains a powerful motivator for Alonso. This rare achievement, defined as winning the Monaco Grand Prix (or Formula 1 World Championship), the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Indianapolis 500, has only ever been accomplished by one driver: Graham Hill. Hill secured his Triple Crown by winning the Monaco Grand Prix five times (1963, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1969), the Indianapolis 500 in 1966, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1972. Alonso has already claimed two legs of the modern Triple Crown, with victories at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2006 and 2007, and two overall wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2018 and 2019 with Toyota Gazoo Racing. The Indianapolis 500 remains the elusive final piece of this prestigious puzzle for the Oviedo-born driver.

McLaren’s involvement in the Indy 500 has evolved significantly since Alonso’s initial forays. The British constructor has a storied history at the Brickyard, dating back to the 1970s when Johnny Rutherford secured two victories for McLaren in 1974 and 1976. Zak Brown, as CEO, spearheaded McLaren’s return to the Indianapolis 500, initially with Alonso’s standalone efforts, which then paved the way for the full-time establishment of Arrow McLaren in the NTT IndyCar Series.

Arrow McLaren, the IndyCar arm of McLaren Racing, has consistently expanded its Indy 500 program in recent years. This expansion has seen the team field additional entries for high-profile drivers, underscoring their commitment to the event and their ambition for victory. Notable drivers to have joined the team for the 500 include two-time Indy 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya (2021-22), 2013 Indy 500 champion Tony Kanaan (2023), and two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson, who is scheduled to make his Indy 500 debut in 2024 and return in 2025 in a unique "Double Duty" attempt alongside the Coca-Cola 600.

For the upcoming 2024 Indianapolis 500, Arrow McLaren will again field an expanded lineup. Alongside full-time drivers Pato O’Ward, Christian Lundgaard, and rookie Nolan Siegel, the team has enlisted 2014 Indy 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay for a one-off effort during the Month of May festivities. Brown expressed confidence in this year’s lineup, particularly highlighting Hunter-Reay’s capabilities: "Starting with Ryan, (I am) very happy to have Ryan in the car this year. He’s definitely capable of winning the Indy 500, so I think our odds have gone up by putting Ryan in the car."

Fernando Alonso’s current status in Formula 1 remains highly competitive despite his age. At 44, he continues to demonstrate exceptional racecraft and strategic prowess, securing eight podium finishes in the 2023 F1 season with Aston Martin. His enduring form suggests that he still possesses the speed and experience required for a serious Indy 500 bid. The question of his F1 future beyond 2024, with his current contract expiring, opens a window for potential opportunities in other disciplines, including the Indianapolis 500.

A return for Alonso would require careful logistical planning, particularly concerning any potential F1 commitments. Historically, the Indy 500 has clashed with the Monaco Grand Prix, making it impossible for active F1 drivers to compete in both without missing one. However, should Alonso transition away from a full-time F1 schedule, the path to a fourth Indy 500 attempt would become significantly clearer. Zak Brown’s persistent overtures underscore the mutual respect and the strong working relationship that has developed between the two, making a future reunion a tangible, rather than merely speculative, possibility. The racing world will continue to observe Alonso’s career trajectory with keen interest, particularly for any indication that the final leg of the Triple Crown might once again be within his sights at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

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Jonas Leo: Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.

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