Alonso embracing challenges of his ’Indy 500 adventure’

BIRMINGHAM (Alabama): Fernando Alonso is on a personal “Indy 500 adventure” that is both a labour of love and ambition for the twotime Formula One champion.

The Spaniard will attempt to run the Indianapolis 500 on May 28, and hopefully, some day, the Le Mans 24 Hours. It’s part of his quest to win what’s considered the Triple Crown of racing – Alonso already has won the Monaco Grand Prix – but this bid will require him to master new cars and racing styles.

Maybe that’s why Indy is so appealing at this stage of his successful career.

“I want to be the most complete driver in the world and the best driver in the world and I want to win all the series in different cars with different driving techniques,” Alonso said on Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park, where he’d flown from Europe to watch Andretti Autosport compete in the IndyCar race.

To be the most complete driver in the world, Alonso has a lofty goal for Indianapolis: “I need to win it. And if it’s not this year, we will plan it for the next attempt.”

Alonso drives for struggling McLaren in F1. He will be the sixth entry for Andretti Autosport at Indy in a partnership with Honda and McLaren. The 35-year-old has begun preparing for Indy by testing on a simulator, where the walls aren’t so intimidating and there’s no traffic to negotiate.

Team and IndyCar executives believe the F1-to-Indy move by such an accomplished driver is a win for all sides, bringing exposure across the ocean in both directions.

“I don’t think there’s one person that’s involved in this thing that’s not going to get something out of it,” said Michael Andretti, founder and CEO of Andretti Autosport.

“I think it’s going to be a fantastic thing. I think there’s so much interest all over the world, and it’s going to be great for Formula One, great for IndyCar, great for the Indy 500, great for our team, great for McLaren.” — AP