F1 News

McLaren: Relationship with Alonso is as strong as ever despite Indy disappointment

McLaren: Relationship with Alonso is as strong as ever despite Indy disappointment

24-05-2019 10:52

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has said that the team's relationship with Fernando Alonso "has never been stronger" despite their failed attempt to help the Spaniard win the Indy500. McLaren seem to have kept the possibility of Alonso returning to Formula 1 alive but admit that they let him down in his bid to win the triple crown.  

After having a crack at the Indy back in 2017, when he was still a full-time F1 driver for McLaren, Alonso had a more thorough preparation process for the famous race this time around.

In that previous attempt, Alonso even led the race for a little while, before eventually retiring with an engine issue. It was a good attempt, and it was a certainty he would be back as he eyes to complete his 'triple crown'.

However, things didn't go as planned this time around, with Alonso and his #66 McLaren not even making it through qualifying for the event that takes place this Sunday. Still, Zak Brown insists the relationship between the team and the Spaniard is as healthy as ever.

“Our relationship with Fernando has never been stronger,” Brown said when asked by Crash.Net about the impact the Indy 500 failure had on Alonso and McLaren.

“He was obviously very disappointed. We let him down, he deserved to be in the race, he was an absolute star as he always has been when he’s raced with us and my personal relationship in working with him.”

Alonso has just one more commitment this racing season in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, reports have come out that the two-time F1 champion would want to cut ties with McLaren completely once the season is over. Brown says Alonso is still undecided.

“I think when you come off an emotional weekend like that you want to take some time to reflect and see what he wants to do in the future and if that aligns with some of McLaren’s activities then that would be great.

“But just like he’s been driving with Toyota, I think he’s a bit undecided on what he wants to do yet so we will pick up those conversations when I see him in Le Mans.”

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