McLaren excuses Fernando Alonso for the failure of the Indy 500

Alonso struggled throughout the first week of testing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and slipped into the last game of the final stretch on Sunday after failing to rank in the top 30. On average over four laps, Alonso was overtaken by American Kyle Kaiser by just 0.019 mph.

De Ferran, the winner of the 2003 Indy 500, worked with Alonso during his debut in a McLaren-Andretti Autosport partnership at the Brickyard in 2017, before being awarded his current role with McLaren. The British team has formed its own squad for this year's attempt, led by former Force India Deputy Chief Bob Fernley, although she was forced to take a Chevrolet engine after the acrimonious end of the F1 contract with Honda.

This year's participation was considered a precursor to a complete IndyCar season in 2020 for the British team. Instead, De Ferran spent Sunday night apologizing to everyone involved in the project for not getting the rating.

"It was a very emotional and difficult experience, not only for me, but for the whole team," said de Ferran, quoted by Racer. "I want to take this opportunity to apologize and thank the fans, not just here in the United States but around the world, who are watching our progress." I read a lot of beautiful things and excellent ones. messages everywhere Thank you, and I'm sorry, we will not be in the Indy 500. "

After apologizing to the McLaren Indy 500 team and its sponsors, De Ferran spoke to the man sitting next to him: "Finally, I want to thank this man here at my I also want to apologize to you., because we did not give you a car fast enough, you drove as the champion we know you are.