Zak Brown Keeps Pushing for Alonso's Indy 500 Return with McLaren

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown is openly and persistently courting Fernando Alonso for a return to the Indianapolis 500, emphasizing he has an open seat waiting for the two-time F1 champion to complete motorsport's Triple Crown.

Why it matters:

Alonso's pursuit of the Triple Crown—victories at the Monaco Grand Prix, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Indy 500—remains one of the great unfinished stories in motorsport. A successful return with McLaren would not only fulfill a personal legacy goal for Alonso but also create a massive narrative for the team and the event itself, recapturing the magic of his near-victorious 2017 debut.

The details:

• Brown stated he brings up the topic "every time I see him," calling it something he'll "continue to bug him about."
• The appeal is mutual: Brown believes McLaren has a car capable of winning the Indy 500 and that Alonso is a driver very capable of doing so.
• Alonso's history with the event is marked by dramatic highs and lows:
  • His 2017 debut with McLaren-Andretti was "magic," as Brown described it, featuring laps led and a strong contention for victory before an engine failure.
  • He failed to qualify in a controversial 2019 attempt with McLaren Racing.
  • His last start was in 2020, finishing 21st.
• The 44-year-old Alonso is entering the final year of his Aston Martin F1 contract, making his future plans a topic of increasing speculation.

What's next:

The ball is firmly in Alonso's court. While Brown's invitation is clear and passionate, any decision hinges on Alonso's F1 future and personal desire to commit to another Indianapolis campaign. If he chooses to chase the final jewel in the Triple Crown, McLaren has signaled it will be ready, potentially setting the stage for one of the most anticipated narratives in recent motorsport history.