Indianapolis: Surrounded by cameras and flashing cell phones, Fernando Alonso picked up a carton of milk and took a huge swig.
For much of the Indianapolis 500, it looked like the two-time Formula One champion would have a chance to perform the celebratory routine in the winner’s circle.
The 35-year-old Alonso led 27 laps in his much-hyped Indy 500 debut — the third most behind Max Chilton and Ryan Hunter-Reay — before a blown Honda engine ended his day 20 laps shy of the finish line.
It was a disappointing finish to an impressive month for the Spaniard.
“I didn’t won, but I will drink a little bit of milk,” Alonso said, thanking the media for covering his every move. “You follow me for two weeks every single minute, but I really enjoy. Thanks for the welcoming.”
Alonso announced last month he would take a break from a sub-par F1 season and skip the Monaco Grand Prix to race in the Indy 500 for Andretti Autosport. His presence drew worldwide interest for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and surely provided a television ratings boost for IndyCar’s premier event.
He watched Monaco earlier Sunday before climbing in his No. 29 car for the 500-mile race. Neither of his McLaren teammates finished the famed road race.
“I’m never happy when McLaren is not finishing the race,” Alonso said. “Before coming here, some of the questions were how you can trade Monaco race for Indy 500, ‘This is the best opportunity for the team. This is the best opportunity to score points.’ I won two times there. I won two world championships. To drive around Monaco for a sixth place, seventh place, even a fifth place. ...
“To be here is not possible to compare (to) that thing. I think for motorsport in general, people that watched the race this morning in Monaco, the people that watch the race this afternoon here, I think they could not sit down for three hours this afternoon. I didn’t miss Monaco in terms of result, you know.”
Alonso expects better results for McLaren in the second half of the F1 season.
He also anticipates a return to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. After all, he wants to become the second driver to secure auto racing’s “Triple Crown,” which means winning at Monaco, at Indy and at the 24 Hours of LeMans.
“Definitely, yes,” Alonso said. “If I come back here, at least I know how it is, everything, and it will not be the first time I do restarts and pit stops and these kinds of things. It will be easier, let’s say, adaptations. ... I need to keep pursuing this challenge because winning the Indy 500 is not completed.”
McLaren boss Zak Brown raved about Alonso’s first IndyCar race.
“It was outstanding,” Brown said. “Fernando didn’t put a wheel wrong, showed what a world-class world champion he is today. ... I think not many race-car drivers in this world are brave enough to do what Fernando just did. Not just from a physical standpoint, but the whole world was watching Fernando race today. He put himself out there and exposed himself, delivered the goods, which isn’t a surprise to anyone that has watched Fernando race.”
