‘Everybody’ in Fernando Alonso’s team was ‘blown away’ by what he privately did on Indy 500 debut

Follow us on Google Discover

Fernando Alonso has shown his class in all disciplines of motorsport throughout his career, and that was apparent when he first stepped away from the Formula 1 paddock and into North America.

In 2026, many F1 drivers are starting to explore other categories. Max Verstappen has been racing GT3 at the Nurburgring as he expresses dissatisfaction with the new technical regulations.

Lance Stroll made his GT3 debut last weekend at the Circuit Paul Ricard, showing strong pace despite suffering a multitude of penalties. His Aston Martin teammate, Alonso, is well experienced in other disciplines of racing, having made his debut in the Indy 500 in 2017.

Fernando Alonso expects Aston Martin to face 10 more ‘difficult’ rounds! Are we seeing the end of his F1 career?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

In the midst of his dismal McLaren Honda days, the Spaniard skipped the Monaco GP to head to Indianapolis and participate in the iconic race. He qualified P5, despite having never driven on an oval before.

Alonso led for 27 laps during the race, but with 21 laps to go, he suffered an engine failure and was forced to retire. Despite the disappointing result, it was an impressive weekend for the two-time F1 champion.

Fernando Alonso stunned ‘everybody’ on his team with how diligent he was during 2017 Indy 500

IndyCar legend Dario Franchitti said Alonso was ‘world-class’ during the 2017 Indy 500, and he was not alone with the praise. Journalist Edd Straw recalled how his team was stunned by his attitude and effort during the weekend.

“In amongst all of that F1 success, he has also shown the adaptability, the Indy 500,” he said on The Race F1 Podcast.

“Could have won in 2017. I was there for the two weeks of that, and everybody working with him there was blown away by how diligent he was as well.

“In the simulator in the morning, then getting there for practice, and all of these things, how well he adapted, and he was playing out the race interestingly.

What do you expect from Fernando Alonso in the 2026 F1 season?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

“And he actually just, because he’d led a bit, and then he’d been shuffled back a couple of places, he was trying to look after tyres and things, and he just started to pick up.

“I’m convinced in that race he’d been in the dust up for victory. I don’t know whether he’d have won it, but he’d have been right up there at the end, and in with a chance of winning that race, plus the sports car success he’s had.

“So he’s shown in other areas. Remember when he went to do Indy, he said, ‘Well, I can’t win seven championships like Schumacher, so I’ve got to win in all sorts of categories.’

“And that, I guess, adds to the legend. And all of the qualities that we’ve talked about feed into that diversity of success as well, doesn’t it?”

READ MORE: Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso’s life outside F1 from net worth to Cars 2

Zak Brown wants Fernando Alonso to return to Le Mans

After returning to F1, Alonso would spend one more year with McLaren until he walked away from F1 at the end of the 2018 season. That same year, he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Toyota Gazoo Racing.

After his F1 retirement, he went on to win the 2018/19 World Endurance Championship and Le Mans again in 2019 with Toyota.

Alonso tried his hand at the Indy 500 again in 2019 and 2020, failing to qualify in the former year and finishing 31st in the latter year. In 2021, he returned to F1 with Alpine in 2021 and is now in his fourth season with Aston Martin in 2026.

With other drivers exploring new categories this season, and with his contract expiring, it may not be surprising to see the Spaniard venture into one himself. McLaren CEO Zak Brown wants Alonso to return to Le Mans in the future.