McLaren Racing was evaluating a potential full-time entry into the NTT IndyCar Series for 2020, but has ruled out such a program following its failure to qualify to the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500.
Speaking to RACER, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said the team probably won’t field a car full-time in IndyCar 2020, electing to instead focus solely on the Indy 500.
“I think it’s highly unlikely we’ll be in IndyCar full-time next year,” Brown said. “As enthusiastic as I am for IndyCar, given where we are in Formula 1, given what we just went through at Indy, I’d like to see us go back to Indy and get that right as a next step instead of totally jumping in. So I think it’s highly unlikely we’re in IndyCar full-time in 2020.”
Via IndyCar
McLaren has been working alongside two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso in his quest to win the Triple Crown of motorsport, which consists of a win at the Monaco Grand Prix, 24 Hours of Le Mans and Indy 500. Alonso has already won at Monaco at Le Mans and seems intent on winning the 500 race with McLaren, but many have their doubts the pair can win it with a one-off entry.
Brown said the team is open to running a race or two ahead of next year’s Indy 500, like the Indianapolis GP for example, to ensure the team is up to par from an operational standpoint. He didn’t mention running one of the remaining oval races like Pocono or Texas, however, despite already having the car and equipment to do so.
Alonso first contested the Indy 500 in 2017 in Andretti Autosport equipment with McLaren branding. He ran near the front the pack for the majority of the race before his Honda engine let go.
The Chevrolet powered car that failed to qualify for this year’s race was built by Carlin but fielded by McLaren. The team had originally intended to compete with a car it assembled at its factory in England, however that chassis was totalled in practice. It’s still not clear why McLaren chose to build itself only one car.
Source: RACER
Comments
First thing is to get proven manager with Indy backround. McLaren really not great in F1, either right now.
Gil is a keeper. That part is in place.
However, they are repeating their first mistake, an Indy-only effort.
the lack of professionalism of McLaren is doing a lot of damage to the figure of Fernando Alonso’s legend
I was going to watch the Indy 500 thanks to Alonso, Since he did not qualify i did not.
Any details on the CT5-V reveal? where can we find it?
I believe it will be coming sometime after 6 p.m.
Mclaren is not running scared.
The team is a mess right now in F1 and they proved their poor management even in a one off event in Indy Car.
The Team needs to get their house in order and focus on F1 first and then worry about Indy once they get the ship righted.
Also the lack of a deal for an engine may also be a problem. GM has no openings and Honda and Mclaren are at odds right now.