Brown expecting full time Indy place

McLaren boss Zak Brown has revealed that the team expect a permanent place in the IndyCar series with shareholders backing the move with Fernando Alonso set to race in this year’s edition.

The 2019 race will mark the second time Fernando Alonso has raced in a McLaren at the Indy 500, the last competition the Spaniard needs to complete the Triple Crown. Alonso has already won the Monaco Grand Prix and 24 hour, Le Mans, before he retired from Formula 1 to pursue other series.

Brown was full of praise for the race saying: “We're a big fan of this racing series.

"I think Mark Miles and the team have done an excellent job.

“The racing is outstanding – great teams, great drivers, great venues.

“So it's a place that McLaren would like to race.”

Despite being heavily Formula 1 orientated, the American wants to broaden the Woking based team’s horizons.

"We've been very focused on Formula 1, and we remain very focused on Formula 1, but I've now completed the hiring of the balance of the leadership for the Formula 1 team.

"And so, going ahead and getting the equipment, making the investment in doing Indianapolis this year in the way we are is another step in that direction,” he added.