Fernando Alonso may yet be tempted back to the Indianapolis 500, with McLaren Racing chief executive Zak Brown making it clear that the door remains wide open for a reunion at one of motorsport’s most storied events.
Alonso, a two-time Formula 1 world champion, last appeared at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2020, a year when the race was postponed until August and staged without spectators because of the COVID-19 pandemic. All three of his Indy 500 campaigns were undertaken with McLaren backing, and while the overall record is mixed, his impact on the event was unmistakable.
His debut in 2017 was particularly memorable. Qualifying an impressive fifth, Alonso led 27 laps, claimed top rookie honours and looked a genuine contender for victory before mechanical failure ended his challenge with just 21 laps remaining. Subsequent attempts proved more frustrating, including a failure to qualify in 2019 and a subdued return in 2020, yet the allure of unfinished business has never quite faded.
McLaren, for its part, has remained deeply committed to the Indianapolis 500 since Alonso’s last appearance. The team has fielded a string of high-profile drivers, including former winners Juan Pablo Montoya and Tony Kanaan, as well as NASCAR champion Kyle Larson. In 2025, the line-up is again strengthened, with 2014 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay joining for a one-off programme alongside full-time drivers Pato O’Ward, Christian Lundgaard and Nolan Siegel.
Speaking during the opening of the new McLaren Racing Center, Brown was quick to underline his confidence in the current package. Hunter-Reay’s inclusion, he suggested, further boosts the team’s prospects, given the American’s proven ability at Indianapolis.
Yet it was Alonso who inevitably dominated the conversation. Now 44 and entering the final year of his current Formula 1 contract with Aston Martin, the Spaniard remains one of the sport’s most compelling figures. His résumé already includes victories at the Monaco Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, meaning that an Indianapolis 500 win would secure the elusive ‘Triple Crown of Motorsport’ — an achievement accomplished only by Graham Hill.
Brown made no secret of his enthusiasm. He praised Alonso’s enduring competitiveness and recalled the “magic” of their first Indy collaboration, stressing that both driver and team possess the tools required to win. While Alonso’s future in Formula 1 beyond the current season is undecided, Brown admitted that the idea of an Indy return is a topic he raises whenever the two cross paths.
Fernando Alonso at the Indianapolis 500
| Year | Team | Qualifying | Result / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | McLaren-Honda | 5th | Led 27 laps; retired with engine failure |
| 2019 | McLaren-Chevy | Did not qualify | Missed the field of 33 |
| 2020 | Arrow McLaren SP | 26th | Finished 21st in spectator-free race |
Whether Alonso ultimately answers Brown’s call remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that McLaren would welcome him back without hesitation — and that the prospect of finally completing motorsport’s most famous treble still hangs tantalisingly within reach.
