The Monaco Grand Prix takes place next weekend, but it will do so without Fernando Alonso.
A two-time World Champion, the Spaniard will not race around the streets of Monte Carlo for the first time since 2002. Instead, the two-time Monaco Grand Prix winner will be over 4,500 miles away in America.
Alonso will be competing in the Indianapolis 500. He hopes to emulate Graham Hill in becoming only the second racer to win motor sport's Triple Crown.
The Spaniard still needs to win the Indy 500 and the Le Mans 24 Hour to complete the feat. Sunday's race will be his first time to compete in the race. In 2007. Alonso finished in second place at the United States Grand Prix at the same venue.
Writing a column for The Players Tribune, the Spaniard admitted that his appearance at The Brickyard was not a vanity project. He was going to win.
Getting ready for practice 4. #indy500 #andretti #mclaren #honda #29
A post shared by Fernando Alonso (@fernandoalo_oficial) on
"The Indy 500 is one of the greatest events in the sport. Drivers all over the world know this. I belong there. Because I’m a racer."
Alonso, who is now in his 16th season as a Formula 1 driver, revealed he has had his eyes set on an appearance in Indiana for a long time.
"I have been thinking about Indy for four or five years now. I had seen a few races, but didn’t know too much about the series. I knew some of the names, and the teams, but basically it’s all new information for me. So I am back to doing what I love again, learning."
Despite missing the race in Monte Carlo, Alonso had very little hope of impressing around the street venue. This season, he has failed to finish in the top-ten of any of the five Grand Prix.
"It’s hard to miss the Monaco Grand Prix, but the tradition at Indy is tremendous as well. I keep hearing about it from everyone I speak with. I can’t wait for the prerace ceremonies and the atmosphere. Here I am, a veteran driver, but it’s all brand new to me."
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