Alonso to miss Monaco GP to race at Indycar!

Sure adds excitement and interest to the 500. He is accomplishing nothing, again at McHonda so why not

 

I doubt he will crash in the race solo. Most, all?, rookies crash in practice.

 

On the other hand, Bas, you know as well as many do here that time flies fast in F1...is Fernando still as marketable as he was three years ago? Probably not at the same price, and he will be 36 this summer. I am sure that he is still able to race at the same level, and will be for at least five years, but is it so carved in stone that one of the Top Team would still be ready to sign him? I'm not so sure...

Rgds

 

Copy that. Yah that's rubbish.

 

He wants to see how many different types McLaren Hondas he can lose races in. He's really making an art out of it.

 

I attended a presentation by the race oil engineer for last year's Honda's Indy-winning entry; its amazing how much HP they're able to squeeze out of these engines without sacrificing engine life. I think Honda's engine will give Alonso a pretty good chance of winning.

 

BS

 

Yes I do agree, but he has not made the smartest moves either, even if their is always a part left to luck. But his last title was in 2006, more than ten years from now. Although I would be happy to see him collect one Grand Prix victory here and there, I'm sure that the tiger in him wants nothing else than another shot at the title. Will he get one? Seems doubtful to me, I have to say.

Rgds

 

That's exactly the way I see it. And that must be frustrating to him indeed...

Rgds

 

Back when Mika Hakkinen was racing for McLaren Mercedes, it was tossed around that he'd run in a major Indy-series race, in a Mercedes powered car. He actually didn't want to do it, because of the extreme speeds and the fact that he--a two time WDC--did not have enough experience on an oval at 240 MPH to believe he could be as safe as needed. In other words, the oval and the speeds at Indy are so extreme, that the skills needed for that type of racing need to be practiced and one cannot simply jump into a car and be competent.

He had offers for Indy-series racing after he left F-1, and he took a few turns in a car at 240 MPH, but he could not get comfortable with the risk and margin for error at those speeds.

Mind you, this is from a guy who pulled off arguably the greatest pass in modern F-1 History, overtaking Schuey and and Zonda at Le Combs at 185 MPH on a damp track.

My prediction is that Alonzo will not have a clean race. And I fear something bad could happen. You don't just jump into an unfamiliar car at an unfamiliar track with an unfamiliar venue going 240 MPH with other drivers whose tactics you are unfamiliar and not have something go wrong. Woe be unto Honda if someone is injured.

 

Do you think, perhaps, that McLaren and Honda sat down together and asked if they absolutely must be in F1? Perhaps the answer was "Hell No!"

 

Thanks for that episode, I wasn't aware of that but can fully understand Mika's concerns. Death seems closer at Ovals.

That overtake was entertaining but overrated. Zonda opened the door on the right at the moment Schumacher pulled left. Mika did the perfect instant assessment and went for the right, being provided with the winning line for the next turn.
It was entertaining unusual but not a great pass in that sense, in my opinion. Neither did Mika 'work for' that pass, nor did he not have a chance otherwise. It was a backmarker in the right spot at the right time. Anyone could have that off, it wasn't a result of ability.

 

I seem to recall that before Nigel Mansell made the move to CART he secured the TV rights(or part of) for broadcast in GB. I wonder who has the rights for the Indy 500 broadcast in Spain?

 

He has to qualify. You qualify the driver, not the car in indy. He can't have someone else qualify the car and then he jumps in it. So he has to be there for qualification also.

I hope this does not happen but if he crashes and puts himself out of the rest of the season Honda and McLaren aren't going to be happy about it. Indy takes it's toll like no other track in the world.

One thing for sure.. he would qualify in the back two rows at Monaco so there's nothing to gain.

 

Let's see if Alonso can do better than Fangio did when he tried his hand at Indy.

 

I'm for it. I think it's good for Indy and it's good for F1.

BUT... Indy is a lot more dangerous.

If he doesn't qualify its going to be really damaging to his reputation in F1. But I'm sure he will, even without the track time others have had in indy cars.

 

Fascinating- as I persist in believing that Alonso is the best current F1 driver.
Disappointing- only in that I'll miss seeing him race at MC this year.
Ironic- (1) as others have noted, Alonso's best chance at a decent finish probably lies at MC, where the McLaren/Honda's power deficit will be minimized; & (2) every year the (mostly young) folks who watch the GP de MC from up on the Rocher unfurl a large and colorful Alonso banner visible far and wide, as he's especially popular with the crowd there.
It may be harder for me to follow the Indy 500 action from MC (one of many reasons why I don't normally follow it), but I suspect Alonso's efforts will be big news there.

 

I think this is great news. I don't think FA's goal in F1 is to just "get points," which I'm sure he could do in Monaco. The guy wants to win and I'm sure he has a better chance of that in a spec series like Indy than in F1 at the moment even without the experience.

I'm surprised McLaren didn't do this sort of thing when they paired with Honda a few years ago. It would've been great exposure for the north american market for their road and racing divisions. I love it that they're making the car papaya orange...

 

My guess is that there's a "performance escape clause" in his McLaren contract and he is perceived to be contemplating leaving them. Fernando driving at Indy isn't a shock, but him missing Monaco indicates to me that he's fed up w/ driving his butt off for 12th place in F-1. I wonder what Montoya's reaction will be?
Good luck Fernando!