Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Reuters
Reuters
Health

Alonso says Indy 500 remains top 2020 priority

FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Singapore Grand Prix - Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore - September 16, 2018 McLaren's Fernando Alonso before the race REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

The Indianapolis 500, and the possibility of taking the Triple Crown of Motorsport, remains Fernando Alonso's top priority for this year despite securing a Formula One comeback with Renault for 2021.

The Spaniard is a double F1 world champion and Monaco Grand Prix winner as well as two-times Le Mans 24 Hours endurance champion.

Victory at Indianapolis next month would make him only the second driver, after the late Briton Graham Hill, to complete the Triple Crown.

Alonso led Indianapolis for 27 laps on his 2017 debut before his car's engine expired, and failed to qualify in 2019. He will line up for Arrow McLaren SP in a race rescheduled from May 24 to Aug. 23 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This year is the highest priority, I only have that race, " he told reporters on Wednesday in a video conference when asked about Indianapolis and the triple after Renault announced his return to F1.

"It's 100%. I'm committed to that. I would love to achieve that one day.

"Obviously it's a very special race and it's going to be even more special this year because of the lack of preparation. Normally you go there to test... This year there is nothing. I am really having issues even to travel to the U.S. for August.

"It's going to be tight and it's going to be a coin in the air more than ever. I'm happy to be there and to feel the speed."

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by John Stonestreet)

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.