McLaren CEO Zak Brown has moved to rubbish reports Fernando Alonso would be skipping the Singapore Grand Prix to run at the IndyCar finale at Sonoma Raceway.
The Spaniard missed the Monaco Grand Prix to run in the world famous ‘Indy 500’ as part of his long-term target to win the ‘triple crown’ of motorsport which includes winning at Monaco and the Le Mans 24 hours.
Brown told RACER: “It’s completely crazy. He would have to first make that request through us, which he has not, and that Sonoma event conflicts with Formula One in Singapore. It’s fake news.”
There have been wider implications to this deal with McLaren in limbo as to whether they stick with the Japanese manufacturer Honda beyond 2017, the same can be said for Andretti Autosport, who Alonso drove for at Indianapolis through the month of may.
With the Andretti team rumoured to be in discussions with IndyCar’s other engine supplier Chevrolet over a potential deal, Alonso’s return to the brickyard with them next year could be at risk.
“[It’s] 50-50; it could make a difference or not make a difference,” Brown added. “It really depends where our Honda relationship goes as to whether it’s important there would be a Honda engine in the car.”
Singapore represents another strong chance for McLaren to secure more points, the Marina Bay circuit is tight and twisty which means power is less of a performance factor as the Hungaroring recently proved.
Alonso has been tipped for a full-time move to the IndyCar series for 2018 as his current McLaren contract ends at the end of this year; the two-time world champion has yet to confirm his future plans but wishes to stay within F1.
