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McLaren executive director Zak Brown has squashed rumours suggesting that Fernando Alonso will make another IndyCar appearance in 2017, with recent rumours linking him to a drive at Sonoma. Alonso made his IndyCar debut earlier this year at the Indy 500, skipping the Monaco Grand Prix to contest in the gruelling race in a joint partnership with McLaren, Honda and Andretti Autosport.
It ultimately ended in retirement, but Alonso made quite the impression in his one off appearance. The 2017 IndyCar season has just four races left to run, with the finale coming at Sonoma Raceway in California. There have been whispers that Alonso is being lined up for another appearance that particular weekend in September.
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However Brown, who works closely with Alonso, has denied that a deal is lined up: "It's completely crazy. He would have to first make that request through us, which he has not, and that [Sonoma] event conflicts with F1 in Singapore. It's fake news."
Speaking about a second appearance at the Indy 500, Brown said that a lot will depend on what engine manufacturer McLaren runs with in F1, and who Andretti Autosport choose to go with for next season, as Michael Andretti is reportedly attempting to make a switch from Honda to Chevrolet: "It's 50-50; it could make a difference or not make a difference. It really depends where our Honda relationship goes as to whether it's important there would be a Honda engine in the car."
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Not going to happen.. I can see him making that switch in the next few years though