Brown dissects why Indianapolis sets Alonso apart from other drivers

20:15, 18 Dec

Updated: 21:30, 18 Dec

byLuke-John Buckle

Fernando Alonso and Zak Brown worked together for two years in F1, and the latter explained why he admires the Spaniard so much.

“When [Alonso] was like, ‘Let’s go to Indy [the Indianapolis 500]’, not many people on the Formula 1 grid, if any, would be ‘Let’s go try’.

- Zak Brown

Alonso endured a frustrating four-year stint at McLaren from 2015-2018, which was his second spell at the time. The double world champion endured a series of mechanical failures and a lack of performance.

Part of this tenure was overseen by Brown, who also oversaw Alonso's trio of attempts to win the Indy 500.

The Spaniard skipped the Monaco Grand Prix to race at Indianapolis for the first time in 2017. Brown explained that this made him admire Alonso more, as he had to be very versatile.

He told BAT: "That’s why I’m such an admirer of Fernando Alonso." [He raced in F1 and IndyCar.]

“When [Alonso] was like, ‘Let’s go to Indy [the Indianapolis 500]’, not many people on the Formula 1 grid, if any, would be ‘Let’s go try’.

Photo: Race Pictures

"And I think after he signed up, he did the first couple laps and was just like, ‘Oh my good God’. Punishing, 230 miles an hour. It is insane.”

Alonso never managed to win the Indy 500 despite some scintillating speed in 2017. He also failed to qualify on a chaotic Bump Day two years later.

Grosjean says Alonso has the same passion as 20 years ago

Alonso is the oldest driver on the grid at 44 years old and made his debut in 2001 with Minardi.

Former Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean said he feels Alonso still has the same incredible passion for F1 as he did in 2005.

The Spaniard is heading into 2026 with Honda engines at Aston Martin and an Adrian Newey-designed car. Alonso is continuing to chase a third world title.

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