The Arrow McLaren SP IndyCar Series team has revealed the colours of Fernando Alonso’s challenger for the delayed 2020 Indianapolis 500 in August.
The two-time Formula 1 world champion and double 24 Hours of Le Mans winner will be making his third attempt at the Indy 500, as he continues his bid to become only the second person to win the Triple Crown after Graham Hill.
Autosport70: How Hill set Alonso a challenge for the future
The Spaniard skipped the Monaco Grand Prix to contest Indycar’s flagship race with Andretti Autosport in 2017, when he led 27 laps before a blown engine forced him out, but failed to qualify on his return last year in a McLaren Racing-run entry.
Alonso, who commenced talks with McLaren boss Zak Brown after talks to rejoin Andretti’s Honda-affiliated team came to naught, remarked after signing that “loyalty” had been been a key factor in his decision to rejoin McLaren, which has partnered with the team formerly known as Schmidt Peterson Motorsports for this season.
“I’m very happy to finally see the car which I will race in the Indianapolis 500,” said Alonso.
“We had to wait longer than usual to release the livery but that means that engines will be starting soon in Indianapolis.
“I’m confident that Arrow McLaren SP will be competitive. The team has the right experience, well-qualified people, and great resources.”
PLUS: The key signing taking McLaren to the next level in IndyCar
Arrow McLaren SP co-owner Sam Schmidt said: “In 2017, Fernando proved that he can not only compete in the race, but that he can fight for the win.
“The livery is great, it represents the colours of [primary sponsor] Ruoff Mortgage while maintaining the livery design of all the Arrow McLaren SP entries.
“It’s unlike any entry that we have seen, which will make it easy to spot for fans.”
Alonso will join Arrow McLaren SP’s two full-time entries of Pato O’Ward and Oliver Askew for the 104th Indianapolis 500, which has been postponed to 23 August due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced this week that the event will be run at 50% capacity – around 115,000 spectators – due to the pandemic.
“I’m very much looking forward to working with someone who has so much knowledge and so many years in motorsports,” said O’Ward, who also failed to qualify for the Indy 500 last year driving for Carlin.
“I can’t wait to work with each other and push for the strongest package that we can have.”
Rookie Askew added: “Never in my 15 years of racing would I have guessed that I would be racing alongside Fernando as a teammate, let alone at the Indianapolis 500.
“I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can from him, not many drivers get that opportunity.”