Fernando Alonso accepts this year’s Indianapolis 500 will be his last for a while as he returns to Formula 1 with Renault in 2021.
The double world champion will begin his third attempt to conquer IndyCar’s biggest event at the Brickyard and complete the Triple Crown this weekend with qualifying ahead of the race a week later.
Alonso is yet to reach the chequered flag after his first two visits and didn’t even make the starting grid 12 months ago.
But as he teams up with McLaren as part of their now full-time presence in the series, after they partnered with Schmidt Peterson Motorsport for 2020, he expects no repeat of the operational issues that impacted him in 2019.
“I found a lot of talented people and good resources on everything, a lot of personnel, each one doing a specific job,” he said, speaking to the AP on Tuesday.
“I had a very nice feeling, a nice surprise of how well the team is organized and prepared and I think it’s going to be a good 500 for us.”
As for his chances of victory, Alonso considers Indianapolis as a lottery and is hoping his number is drawn.
“It’s one of those things that you need to keep trying because eventually maybe one time it will come your way,” he said of the race.
“The 500, especially, or Le Mans, they are races that you have been chosen that day — by the race, by the track, by the luck or destiny.
“There is no exacting mathematics on those kind of races. There is a luck factor. I have this impression that the more times you attempt, the more chances you’ve got.”
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Yet, despite that, Alonso acknowledges this will be his last trip to Indy for two years at least as he return to F1 at Renault, this despite only missing the Monaco Grand Prix to compete back in 2017.
“I think I approach the race knowing the next two years is going to be impossible to come,” he said. “I will have to miss qualifying weekend if I wanted to do so.
“I will not be any more with McLaren next year in F1 [so] that will not work either. I know at least for two years I will not be here.
“Look, this is the way it is at the moment. I’m here ready to enjoy the event, ready to give my best and help the team as much as I can,” he added.
“Let’s see in the future what are the possibilities. If you eventually win one day the race, maybe that opens the possibility for different things.”