IndyCar: McLaren Reveal Alonso’s Indy 500 Challenger
The Arrow McLaren SP IndyCar team has dropped the livery of 2x Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso’s 2020 Indianapolis 500 car.
The delayed August race will be Alonso’s 3rd attempt at the Indy 500 – in 2017, Alonso raced a McLaren-Andretti car, qualified an impressive 5th and looked on course for a possible win, but was let down by an engine failure (ironically a Honda engine).
In 2019 however, in a Carlin run McLaren Racing entry, the team suffered an embarrassment and failed to qualify for the race, along with the other 2 Carlin entries of Max Chilton and Patricio O’Ward.
This year, McLaren are racing full-time in IndyCar with O’Ward and Oliver Askew, and will field a 3rd car for Alonso at the Indy 500.
“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.”
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 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’s entry will be officially known as the No. 66 Ruoff Mortgage Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet.
The delayed 2020 Indy 500 will take place on the 23rd August, with the next round of the season being the GMR Grand Prix at the Indy Road Course on July 4th.
Further images of the #66 McLaren by Motorsport.com
