F1 and WEC champion Fernando Alonso will race at this year’s Indy 500 as he continues his chase to collect motorsport’s ‘Triple Crown’ – and this is the car he will use.
The Spaniard and will race for the Arrow McLaren SP team that is a partnership between McLaren and Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. Unlike the cars he has competed in previously at the Indy 500, Alonso’s car, number 66, does not feature a traditional McLaren orange livery and is instead predominantly white and dark green/blue.
Alonso spectacularly failed to qualify for the Indy 500 last year after a spate of issues. He came close to winning the race in 2017 while racing for McLaren, though, but an engine issue forced him to retire.
Love it 😍! @ArrowMcLarenSP @TeamChevy #66 @RuoffMortgage car it’s ready. #indy500 🤝 pic.twitter.com/v0V5zL71Tu
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) June 30, 2020
Schmidt Peterson Motorsports didn’t have a great showing at the 2019 Indy 500 either,as driver James Hinchcliffe just managed to qualify. It is hoped that through their partnership with McLaren, the team will be able to compete at the very front of the grid.
“In 2017, Fernando proved that he can not only compete in the race, but that he can fight for the win,” Arrow McLaren SP co-owner Sam Schmidt said. “The livery is great. It represents the colors of Ruoff Mortgage while maintaining the livery design of all the Arrow McLaren SP entries. It’s unlike any entry that we have seen, which will make it easy to spot for fans.”
The 2020 Indy 500 had been scheduled to take place in May, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, has been pushed back to August 23.
FIRST LOOK. 👀
Take the first glance at @alo_oficial's No. 66 Ruoff Mortgage Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet for the 104th #Indy500. 👏 pic.twitter.com/cwmCPmeiXc
— Arrow McLaren SP (@ArrowMcLarenSP) June 30, 2020