Keep in mind that this is, at least for now, a one-off appearance for both McLaren and Alonso. Their only goal is to do what McLaren has been known for over their five-decade tenure in grand prix racing — perform and win.
As far as I’m concerned, there aren’t any expectations for this venture, aside from the ones that team and driver put on themselves. And we know they will, because Alonso expects to be in contention to win every time that he goes onto the race track, whether it’s in Formula 1 or any other racing vehicle.
The man is a racer’s racer. He’s ultimately competitive and he wants to win. It’s the mindset of a professional auto racer.
That’s what has made Fernando so successful over the course of his career, because he never settles for ‘good enough’. He always wants to outperform the competition.
Am I saying he’s going to go out and lead 190 of 200 laps, like Clark did in 1965? Not at all.
There’s going to be an adjustment period and Fernando is going to have to get used to the feel of an Indy car, because he’s never driven on an oval before, let alone a superspeedway the likes of Indianapolis.
But the greatest drivers in the world — the Mario Andrettis, A.J. Foyts, Graham Hills and Jim Clarks of the world — are adaptable, fierce and unafraid of a new challenge.
Fernando Alonso has all of those characteristics, plus an unquenchable desire for success at the highest level, but he also has something else that isn’t often seen in modern day motorsports, too.
He has the ability to outperform both his situation and the car he’s driving.
(See last weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix and Alonso’s run to sixth, albeit before a transmission failure forced him out of the race, if you don’t believe me.)
McLaren Executive Director Zak Brown called Alonso “the best racing driver in the world” during Wednesday’s announcement, and that last, rarely-found quality is one of the reasons why it’s a fitting moniker for the 35-year-old.
So, regardless of Alonso’s runs in practice and qualifying, I truly believe that his penchant to exceed expectations will be what propels him into contention on May 28 and gives him a chance — even if it’s a very outside chance — to win the Indianapolis 500.
You’re combining that quality with a race-winning car, a race-winning team and a world championship driver. He’ll at least have some semblance of a shot.
And if he happens to pull off the unthinkable and drinks the milk in victory lane, then I’ll echo Medland’s opening statement from earlier today, when the news of Alonso’s 500 entry first broke.
Bloody hell…
The opinions expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Race Chaser Online, the Performance Motorsports Network, Scorpion Radio Group, their sponsors or other contributors.
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network.
Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 22-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
Email Jacob at: editor@racechaseronline.com
Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77
Email Race Chaser Online: news@racechaseronline.com
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