Briatore hints Alonso-McLaren Indy 500 project over
Flavio Briatore has given a strong hint that Fernando Alonso will not return to the Indy 500 with McLaren.
Fully competitive with an Andretti car in 2017 before an engine problem, Spaniard Alonso tried to complete his 'triple crown' this year but the full McLaren entry failed even to qualify.
It has thrown the entire future of McLaren's Indycar ambitions into question, with Zak Brown admitting it is unlikely plans for the full season will proceed in 2020.
Worsening the situation for McLaren is that Briatore, who is reportedly still involved in Alonso's management, is scathing of the British outfit's Indy 500 effort.
"The Indy thing was badly organised. Very badly," he is quoted by Movistar.
"It has been a great 'cazzata'," said Briatore, using a vulgar Italian word.
When asked if Alonso will try again for the triple crown with a team other than McLaren, the flamboyant Italian added: "Let's hope."
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Alonso is so overhyped and full of himself , he makes we want to expel my breakfast. Please just go get some wood and a knife and go whittle BUH BYE
With highly respected and reputable businessmen behind him Alfonso may have a chance to grab that gold ring, Flávio ain't that guy by a looong shot.
All organizations must be motivated , led and directed from the top. Mr. Brown is not the man for the job at Mac Laren.
All organizations must be motivated , led and directed from the top. Mr. Brown is not the man for the job at Mac Laren.Sad but true.
It didn't help that as per usual, Mclaren went into a project seriously under-prepared, as they themselves have now admitted. But the reality is that nowadays a team can't just go into the Indy 500 as a one-off. Back in the day, when teams designed and built their own cars, you could come in like Lotus with a better designed car, and win straight off the bat. But now with everyone using the same car, the other teams have already had previous races to understand the current season's car, and discover the optimum chassis and aerodynamic settings. Hence the obvious difference between Alonso's two attempts at Indy, one with an established US team and one with total newcomers. The reality is that without Mclaren committing to a full season they're not going to win at Indy. Alonso might still win a one-off - he has the talent - but only with a US team with prior experience in setting up the car for ovals.