Honda blocks Alonso-Andretti Indy 500 deal

Honda has vetoed against a deal that would have seen two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso contest this year’s Indianapolis 500 with Andretti Autosport.

According to a report by RACER, Alonso was set to return to the Indy 500 field this year with the Honda-powered Andretti Autosport squad he made his Brickyard debut with at the 2017 event, only for Honda to call off the deal at the last minute.

Alonso is seeking to become just the second driver in history to complete the ‘Triple Crown’ of motorsport, which consists of winning the Monaco Grand Prix, Le Mans 24 Hours and Indy 500. The Spaniard has already claimed victories in Monaco and at Le Mans and just needs a win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to secure the feat.

On his Indy 500 debut, Alonso impressed and led 27 laps before a Honda engine failure forced him into retirement in the closing stages, while he was bumped from the field and failed to qualify upon his return in 2019 aboard McLaren’s Chevrolet-powered entry.

It appears that if Alonso wants to have a third crack at the famous oval race it will have to be with a Chevy-powered team. He has seemingly been left with limited competitive options, given that Team Penske and Ed Carpenter Racing have already announced their Indy 500 plans.

Alonso, who recently contested the Dakar rally with Toyota, endured a fractious relationship with Honda after its disastrous F1 tie-up with McLaren. He did not shy away from voicing criticism towards the Japanese manufacturer during McLaren’s three-year tenure with Honda, which ultimately broke down at the end of the 2017 season.