Alonso Missing Monaco to do Indy 500

Alonso Missing Monaco to do Indy 500

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towser44

Original Poster:

3,472 posts

114 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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On BBC website

Vaud

50,285 posts

154 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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towser44 said:
On BBC website
Press release:

http://www.mclaren.com/formula1/inside-the-mtc/fer...

FurballS2000

1,052 posts

164 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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Beat me to it!

Sign of him finally having enough of his current F1 situation?

Vaud

50,285 posts

154 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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FurballS2000 said:
Beat me to it!

Sign of him finally having enough of his current F1 situation?
Or a sign of the team being flexible to keep him... maybe Le Mans next year (as hinted at in the press release).

While they cant be in a position to win, and they are guaranteed prize money at the end of the year - why not? Zak has a good global mind for sponsorship, and I would lay money on Honda paying for all of this...

Smollet

10,465 posts

189 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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I wonder if Button will stand in for him?

ukaskew

10,642 posts

220 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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A little odd but what a great opportunity for Alonso.

Will be interesting to see who they drop in to the car for Monaco, that's one hell of a race to get to grips with to make your one and only appearance in an F1 car in 2017. Isn't Oliver Turvey the development driver? I wonder if Honda would want somebody Japanese.

cuprabob

14,414 posts

213 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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Ironic that Monaco is probably the only circuit where the Honda power deficit doesn't matter as much.


anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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WOW.

Would never have guessed this in a Million years.

The Indy 500 is a pretty dangerous event especially for someone who has extremely limited time in the car.

I remember Mansell doing very well at Indy but he would have had a number of race prior.

Can't be great for F1 or McLaren having arguably the best driver on the grid picking the Indy 500 over the biggest race in the F1 calender.

Huge statement by Alonso.

stevesuk

1,345 posts

181 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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Was Monaco the race that Honda were planning to unveil a revised power unit?

The obvious replacement for a one-off appearance would be JB... but has he even driven this year's car? And given what a dog the engine seems to be, would he want to?

Vocal Minority

8,582 posts

151 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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Lummy - that's a bit left field!

Presuming Ed

1,387 posts

207 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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Chapeau to Alonso. No way would I be brave enough to go wheel to wheel at 240mph, jumping into what's a bit agricultural compared to an F1 car.

Its not like Graham Hills day when the cross over to Indy was I imagine a little easier.

BluePurpleRed

1,137 posts

225 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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He's going for the Triple Crown.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_Crown_of_Moto...

Can't cement his status as "a great" in that Donkey of a car this year, and is thinking with the level he is driving at, at the moment that being only the 2nd person in history to do it, would be better. (Graham Hill is the only other)

This first, then Le Mans. Montoya is on two out of the three I think. Even if he does it, Alonso has the unofficial fourth of F1 WDC to top it.

If I was him, I'd be the same. Chances are he doesn't fancy his chances of even finishing Monaco while they frig with yet another empty promise of an engine change.

BluePurpleRed

1,137 posts

225 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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Jenson for the Win in Monaco... obviously! :P

Vocal Minority

8,582 posts

151 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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Given the slightly more liberal definition of triple crown including the f1 world championship Jacques Villeneuve has 2/3 also but no Monaco.

Mario Andretti also has 2/3 (no Monaco) and a best of 2nd at Le Mans.

Tazio Nouvilari did both Monaco and Le Mans, as did Jochen Rindt and Bruce McLaren.

Not that it matters, but there you go!

Edited by Vocal Minority on Wednesday 12th April 12:00

Some Gump

12,671 posts

185 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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Why do peopl think of Monaco as the jewel in F's crown? Bling aside, it's a st event. Boring as hell every year, unless it rains enough that everyone but a Tyrell crashes (and these days they'd just run it under safety car instead).

Vocal Minority

8,582 posts

151 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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Because some of us are misty eyed fools, I guess.

That's why I like it. It's historic and prestigious and a bit of a throwback. I like those things

DS240

4,636 posts

217 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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Didn't see this one coming!

To take your star driver out of F1 for one of, if not the biggest race of the year!

A bit of PR deflection.. next couple of races all the talk will be preparing for Indy 500 rather than the woeful Mclaren situation??

To actually miss a race! The Hulk at least was inbetween F1 races for LM wasn't he?

He wouldn't be doing Indy 500 if the Mclaren was fighting at the front. What does it say about the team focus then taking the driver out for a race?

Maybe a hopeful promise that when he comes back they'll be an engine upgrade ready?

A strange twist to take....

Edited by DS240 on Wednesday 12th April 12:03

l354uge

2,892 posts

120 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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Some Gump said:
Why do peopl think of Monaco as the jewel in F's crown? Bling aside, it's a st event. Boring as hell every year, unless it rains enough that everyone but a Tyrell crashes (and these days they'd just run it under safety car instead).
Its st for spectators, but for the drivers there's no challenge like it.

DS240

4,636 posts

217 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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.... also, I'm really not sure Jenson is going to be that bothered about driving. One race only. Especially with this years Mclaren. And being parachuted into Monaco of all places having not driven this years car.

Unless he accepts the cars crap and comes along for a good weekend.

Or Monaco being Monaco, rolls the dice on a bizarre better than expected outcome and comes out shining.... but to what end?

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 12th April 2017
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Vocal Minority said:
Because some of us are misty eyed fools, I guess.

That's why I like it. It's historic and prestigious and a bit of a throwback. I like those things
Same, it's my favourite each year but never the best racing.

Good luck to Alonso, interesting to see how he does. Has he got a good car or are they much the same?