Alonso plays down Indy 500 criticism

Fernando Alonso has played down the criticism that has come his way following his decision to skip next month's Monaco Grand Prix to instead take part in the Indy 500.

Christian Horner, team principal at Red Bull, was one such man to speak out against the choice, claiming that executive director at McLaren Zak Brown needs to see a psychiatrist: "I think he needs to see a psychiatrist personally. Would we let our drivers do it? No."

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However, Zak Brown made sure that he had the final laugh by posting a tweet about Christian Horner, questioning who really needed to see the psychiatrist.

Er... sorry Christian, which of us needs to see a psychiatrist?! ? pic.twitter.com/7nkmsUTfen
— Zak Brown (@ZBrownCEO) April 14, 2017

Former CEO of Formula 1 Bernie Ecclestone also isn't a fan of the decision, claiming that if he was still in charge, he would have tried to convince McLaren to keep the Spaniard for Monaco.

"I think it's probably good for Alonso but if I could have persuaded McLaren not to go I would have done it," said the 86-year-old in Bahrain. "I would have said 'Wait until your contract finishes and then do what you like -- but you are in the middle of Formula 1."

However, 1997 F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has hailed Alonso's decision to race in the famous event.

"I don't understand when it's said that the risks are too high," Villeneuve told Brazil's Globo in Bahrain. "Yes, but if you're a driver and so many other drivers are doing it, you cannot be afraid. Are you a driver or not?" he added.

"Why are most of the drivers in the Indy 500 not paying drivers?" he asked rhetorically. "Because daddy is not going to give you money to race somewhere you can get hurt. But what are the risks today in F1? Hardly anything. And what happens? It's full of paying drivers."

Alonso said that the criticism about his decision is "normal", but none of it will deter the double world champion.

"We spoke before the announcement that the drivers would say they would never miss a Grand Prix, and the bosses would say they would never let their drivers go to the Indy 500," Alonso told the Spanish broadcaster Movistar.

"We said this reaction (in F1) would be normal because this weekend the media coverage is high because of Indy, the sponsors want to go, the TV wants to go, journalists want to go -- so I think it's normal," he added.

Fergal Walsh