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Fernando Alonso's attempts at the Indy 500


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#1 RedBaron

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:12

Woah... McLaren.

 

Does this mean Alonso has written off a competitive F1 career now and is aiming to be remember as a great by doing the triple? 

 

“I’m immensely excited that I’ll be racing in this year’s Indy 500, with McLaren, Honda and Andretti Autosport.
 
“The Indy 500 is one of the most famous races on the global motorsport calendar, rivalled only by the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Monaco Grand Prix [which Fernando has won twice, one of those victories at the wheel of a McLaren (in 2007)], and it’s of course a regret of mine that I won’t be able to race at Monaco this year. But Monaco will be the only 2017 Grand Prix I’ll be missing, and I’ll be back in the cockpit of the McLaren-Honda MCL32 for the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal in early June.
 
“I’ve never raced an IndyCar car before, and neither have I ever driven on a super-speedway, but I’m confident that I’ll get to grips with it fast. I’ve watched a lot of IndyCar action on TV and online, and it’s clear that great precision is required to race in close proximity with other cars on the far side of 220mph [354km/h]. I realise I’ll be on a steep learning curve, but I’ll be flying to Indianapolis from Barcelona immediately after the Spanish Grand Prix, practising our McLaren-Honda-Andretti car at Indy from May 15th onwards, hopefully clocking up a large number of miles every day, and I know how good the Andretti Autosport guys are. I’ll be proud to race with them, and I intend to mine their knowledge and expertise for as much info as I possibly can.
 
“I’ve won the Monaco Grand Prix twice, and it’s one of my ambitions to win the Triple Crown [the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500 and the Le Mans 24 Hours], which has been achieved by only one driver in the history of motorsport: Graham Hill. It’s a tough challenge, but I’m up for it. I don’t know when I’m going to race at Le Mans, but one day I intend to. I’m only 35: I’ve got plenty of time for that.”

Edited by PayasYouRace, 12 April 2017 - 10:18.
Adding source link.


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#2 Marklar

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:14

*checks date*

Woah...

Edited by Marklar, 12 April 2017 - 10:14.


#3 RedBaron

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:14

*checks date*

 

Yup.

 

Monaco... he will miss it.



#4 PayasYouRace

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:15

What's the source?



#5 RedBaron

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:16

What's the source?

 

McLaren.


Edited by RedBaron, 12 April 2017 - 10:16.


#6 EightGear

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:16

You wot m8.

#7 Joseki

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:16

HOLY ****.



#8 dreamer

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:16

Good luck to him! 



#9 SamH123

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:16

Monaco was one of his best chances of a good result this year but he probably doesn't care that much when championships aren't at stake.

 

 

Yup.

 

Monaco... he will miss it.

 

I think Marklar was double checking it wasn't April Fools day


Edited by SamH123, 12 April 2017 - 10:18.


#10 Button4life

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:16

Well, atleast I can see Button for the last time again. I actually hope he doesn't race. Can't handle seeing him driving this **** car again :(

#11 Disgrace

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:17

It's on Motorsport now. This is awesome news.



#12 WilliamsF1Fan

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:17

Seriously what the hell?!  This is crazy news, in a good way.  



#13 Atreiu

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:17

Wow.

#14 OvDrone

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:18

OMFFFFFFFFFFFFFFG

Y E S

#15 PayasYouRace

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:18

 

:up:

 

Woah indeed!

 

I'll just edit that into the OP if you don't mind.



#16 Marklar

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:18

What a legend

#17 CPR

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:18

From: http://www.mclaren.c...etti-autosport/
 

In due course McLaren-Honda will announce the identity of the driver who will race Fernando’s car at Monaco.


I would have thought the obvious person would be Jenson, since he is the contracted 3rd driver.

#18 Gorma

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:19

Who saw this coming?



#19 Disgrace

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:19

He's going to be doing it with Andretti as well. That's a competitive seat.


Edited by Disgrace, 12 April 2017 - 10:22.


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#20 OvDrone

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:20

Bernie Ecclestone dislikes this.

Oh wait...

#21 Dander

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:20

https://www.motorspo...-monaco-892869/

 

"Fernando Alonso is to make a shock assault on the Indianapolis 500 this year, with Jenson Button being drafted in by McLaren to replace the Spaniard for the clashing Monaco Grand Prix."

 

Button standing in at Monaco!


Edited by Dander, 12 April 2017 - 10:20.


#22 ed24f1

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:20

From: http://www.mclaren.c...etti-autosport/
 

I would have thought the obvious person would be Jenson, since he is the contracted 3rd driver.

 

I agree, give Button what would likely be a farewell drive. Putting a rookie in around Monaco would be a huge risk



#23 PayasYouRace

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:20

This is huge news, and says something about the status of Indycar today.

 

A current F1 driver, and a double world champion at that, with backing from his team, is willing to miss Monaco to compete in the 500 is something that hasn't happened since the 1960s.



#24 Button4life

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:20

Would be funny if he still retires because of an engine faillure

#25 Stephane

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:20

I LOVE IT



#26 Timstr11

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:21

It's still April guys.



#27 Victor_RO

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:21

This is absolutely epic.  :clap:



#28 Marklar

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:21

This is huge news, and says something about the status of Indycar today.

A current F1 driver, and a double world champion at that, with backing from his team, is willing to miss Monaco to compete in the 500 is something that hasn't happened since the 1960s.

To be fair Alonsos situation at McLaren is a bit unique anyway :p

#29 string158

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:22

Makes sens to get Button in the car with his experience.  Would have been interesting if Alonso had done a seat swap with an Indy driver though..



#30 Lotus53B

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:22

From: http://www.mclaren.c...etti-autosport/
 

I would have thought the obvious person would be Jenson, since he is the contracted 3rd driver.

I kind of hope he "sprains an ankle" running a triathlon..



#31 Amin

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:22

I'm not his biggest fan, but big respect has to go to him for giving this a go. I can't wait to see how he gets on.



#32 OvDrone

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:22

Well Honda did win the first two races of the season...

#33 Joseki

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:23

Would be funny if he still retires because of an engine faillure

 

That would probably happen at Monaco too.  :rotfl:



#34 Risil

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:23

Whaaaaaaat. Whaaaaaaat.



#35 pizzalover

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:23

If it wasn't Monaco, I'd say give Kubica a go.



#36 PlayboyRacer

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:23

Love it! Will be fascinating to see how a driver of FA's calibre performs on an oval, with no previous experience. Clark, Graham Hill, Andretti, Fittipaldi and Jacques Villeneuve the only F1 World Champions and Indy 500 winners to this point from memory.

Edited by PlayboyRacer, 12 April 2017 - 10:30.


#37 SilverArrow31

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:23

I love this, but how I wish this was for Le mans in a third Porsche!

 

It will certainly give the indy 500 a ratings boosts in Europe, I will now be watching it :clap:


Edited by SilverArrow31, 12 April 2017 - 10:25.


#38 RedBaron

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:24

I love this, but how I wish this was for Le mans in a third Porsche!

 

"I don’t know when I’m going to race at Le Mans, but one day I intend to. I’m only 35: I’ve got plenty of time for that."



#39 Lotus53B

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:24

This makes a lot of sense for F1 - the amount of publicity they can get at arguably the biggest race in the USA will be immense, and Fred is a very good driver racing what appears to be a very good car, so he should show well at the race.

 

In terms of LibertyMedia's ambitions for F1, I can see them actively promoting such crossovers in the future, as opposed to Bernie's exclusivity ideals.



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#40 Muppetmad

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:24

This is the best motorsport news I have heard this decade. I cannot wait.



#41 OvDrone

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:24

Whaaaaaaat. Whaaaaaaat.


'Tis a most blessed day of Spring. 🍃🌿🍃

#42 Yhamm

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:25

He's going to be doing it with Andretti as well. That's a competitive seat.

I think it's pretty hilarious considering how none of the Andretti's car finished the last race



#43 Dander

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:25

Motorsport.com has taken down the original article saying that Button would replace him, wonder if they just assumed that would be the case..?



#44 Marklar

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:27

Hakkinen is preparing for his comeback as we speak

#45 EthanM

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:27

Motorsport.com has taken down the original article saying that Button would replace him, wonder if they just assumed that would be the case..?

 

yeah they replaced it with a vague blurb about him being the likely candidate

 

"McLaren has yet to officially confirm who will replace Alonso for the clashing Monaco F1 race, but retired 2009 champion Jenson Button is considered the favourite to land the seat."



#46 Pumpkinz

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:27

Go Jenson go.  :clap:



#47 Richard T

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:27

Wowsers!

#48 pizzalover

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:27

Quick, get a poll going for who is going to get the vacant seat!



#49 Ickx

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:27

This sounds like amazing news. I'm not sure why but i really like it.

#50 superden

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Posted 12 April 2017 - 10:28

**** the bed. That says it all.