As being Fernando Alonso's third adventure on the 500 Miles of Indianpolis

On May 24, at 12:19 p.m. (6:19 p.m. in Spain), start the 104th edition of the Indianapolis 500 Miles at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In car 66 of the Arrow McLaren SP team, with Chevrolet engine, Fernando Alonso Try your third assault on triumph, with which to complete the Triple Motor Crown. After the 2019 debacle, when he could not even take the exit, Alonso returns to focus his efforts on the great American dream. 200 laps to the most famous value of the planet to match a milestone until only within reach of the British Graham hill.

Why again McLaren?

“I explore different options, but Arrow McLaren SP was always in first choice. I have a special relationship with McLaren because we have spent many things together and that creates a strong bond,” said Alonso Tuesday, who at the beginning of the year had extinguished his bond as Woking squad ambassador. The negotiations with Michael Andretti, one of the greats of Indianpolis, and rumors of approach to Roger Penske, the great reference of the category, they were nothing. “The natural choice was to return to give something back to the fans after the last disappointment,” added the Spanish, 38, about his terrible experience in the Last Row Shootout from last year.

Who will be his companions?

Arrow McLaren SP play with two cars the entire season of the IndyCar and put a third car at the disposal of Alonso for the 500 Miles, sixth calendar appointment. The two pilots who will accompany you in the mystical valor will be the Mexican Patrick O'Ward, 20 years, and Oliver Askew, 23-year-old American rookie. Both, recent champions of the Indy Lights, the training category. O'Ward left evidence of his extraordinary potential last May, although he could not pass the last cut. The ungainly Askew, 192 centimeters high, has already been fogged with lex Palou, the great Spanish talent of the moment.

How is the project funded?

McLaren's adventure is the result of the union with the prestigious team Schmidt-Peterson Y Arrow, your main sponsor. In addition, the last financial push has provided it Ruoff Mortgage, a powerful real estate services firm with extensive experience in the Indy universe. In fact, three years ago, the association of this same company with Andretti Autosport led to the resounding triumph of Takuma Sato in the 500 Miles.

Who are the brains?

Zak Brown returns to captain McLaren, with Gil de Ferran, another old acquaintance of Formula 1, as sports director. To them we must add the signing of Craig Hampson as a career engineer and responsible for the development of the new car. The veteran technician, four times champion with Sebastien Bourdais In the Champs Car, it accumulates more than two decades at the maximum level. His experience is crucial in a team that required this type of qualified staff.

Are there any victory options?

Alonso's ambition with any four-wheel device in his hands will never vary. “We are back with the intention of winning,” NBC Sports and Sky Sports said Tuesday. Sam Schmidt, co-owner of Arrow, also abounds in this thesis. “We have fast cars and Fernando has the talent to be in the lead group,” added the key man in the triumph of Dan wheldon in the 500 Miles of 2011.

When does it all start?

The official date is April 30, when the first open trainings have been scheduled at the legendary Brickyard. However, the agenda may vary if Fernando also chooses to participate on May 9 in the IndyCar Grand Prix, the traditional snack of the 500 Miles. “In the next two weeks we will decide our preparation,” said the Spaniard.

What happened to Honda?

The portal RACER, reference in the US engine formulas, informed two weeks ago of the Honda veto at the beginning of an agreement between Alonso and Andretti Autosport. The pilot's environment remained silent about this controversy, although it seems clear that the Japanese are still scolded by the tough critics of the Asturian to their engines during their last stage in F1.