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Brown: McLaren will not be running IndyCar team in 2019

Brown: McLaren will not be running IndyCar team in 2019

19-10-2018 18:20
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Jake Williams-Smith

Zak Brown has confirmed that McLaren will not be committing to an IndyCar programme for 2019, admitting that the team is "not ready" for such a process.

McLaren had been looking at making the improbable reality, with a McLaren IndyCar team with current driver Fernando Alonso at the wheel as the Spaniard continues his search for an Indy 500 win to complete the Triple Crown.

Brown did admit that the team was looking at the venture down the line however.

"We've taken the decision to not compete on a full-time basis in 2019. We're simply not ready yet and are focused on Formula One, so we won't be doing that in 2019. We do have the desire, as we've mentioned before, in the near future."

In 2017, Alonso competed in the Indy500 for the first time in his career with a joint effort with the Andretti team. Alonso impressed many on his debut in the sport but was, ironically, let down by his Honda engine which let go with just 21 laps remaining whilst fighting with the front runners.