McLaren Executive Director Zak Brown has confirmed the British team will not be entering the Indianapolis 500 next year, after the much-applauded effort with Fernando Alonso in 2017.
The Spaniard took advantage of the lack of competitiveness with Honda in Formula 1 to attempt another leg of motorsport’s Triple Crown, bringing huge interest along with him, however, his effort would end in disappointment with an engine failure while running well up the order.
He has ruled out another attempt next year to focus on F1, as a new Renault engine partnership at McLaren brings with it hopes for a championship bid, therefore, unable to recreate the kind of buzz this year’s entry did, Brown has said the British team will not be returning to the Brickyard
“It’s off the table,” he confirmed to Racer. “We could have gone to Indy next year as just another Indy 500 entry but that’s not McLaren. If we can’t do it right and be a big part of the show, then we don’t want to do it.”
That’s not to say McLaren is finished with Indianapolis or IndyCar in general, with Brown revealing consultations are underway into future racing plans.
“Given that the Indianapolis 500 is a big percentage of IndyCar’s overall awareness, does that give you enough to accomplish what you want to do, or do you want to do a full season? That’s all part of the review process,” he explained.
“I’d rather the next time we go – whether that be Indy 500 only or IndyCar – it not be a one-off. So if we take the decision it’s Indy only, I would like it to be Indy only for the next 10 years.
“This year was a one-off, crazy idea that turned into a great opportunity.”