2017 Mclaren F1 Team - Honda

[GoranF1]

To me this makes it quite clear that this is Fernando Alonsos last season in F1. He has come to terms with the facts that he will never get a drive in a car that allows him to challenge the number of championships of Vettel and Hamilton and is instead going for a more legendary title. Nope, not Indy 500, but the tripple crown of motorsport. That hasn't been done since 1961, and would ensure his place as one of the truly great.

I don't think anyone else on the grid today could do it.

He will sign new 5 year deal whit Mclaren in a few weeks.

[WaikeCU]

The closest racer at the moment able to do it is Nico Hulkenberg, all he has to do is win Monaco this year and Indy 500 next.

No, it is not. It's Juan Pablo Montoya. All he needs to do is get a LMP1 seat at either Porsche or Toyota and win this years 24h of Le Mans.

[JonoNic]

Would a win at Indy benefit Honda or Alonso? This is just Alonso marketing himself at the expense of the team. If he fails to win then he will stay in F1 for a few more seasons. Just remember that Alonso cannot do those brilliant starts at Monaco so his replacement can't do it either.

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[RS200E]

It would benefit everyone involved obviously. Why would you think otherwise?

Would a win at Indy benefit Honda or Alonso? This is just Alonso marketing himself at the expense of the team. If he fails to win then he will stay in F1 for a few more seasons. Just remember that Alonso cannot do those brilliant starts at Monaco so his replacement can't do it either.

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[Joseki]

Would a win at Indy benefit Honda or Alonso? This is just Alonso marketing himself at the expense of the team. If he fails to win then he will stay in F1 for a few more seasons. Just remember that Alonso cannot do those brilliant starts at Monaco so his replacement can't do it either.

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So you are telling us that McLaren and Honda are backing a racing program at their own expense?

[WaikeCU]

Would a win at Indy benefit Honda or Alonso? This is just Alonso marketing himself at the expense of the team. If he fails to win then he will stay in F1 for a few more seasons. Just remember that Alonso cannot do those brilliant starts at Monaco so his replacement can't do it either.

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It's actually the combination of the legendary names that makes it so special

"Indy 500 featuring Andretti-Mclaren-Honda with Fernando Alonso behind the wheel."

It doesn't much get better than that for racing fans.

[FrukostScones]

Seems like everyone is happy:
https://twitter.com/HondaRacingF1/statu ... 1757022208
https://twitter.com/McLarenF1/status/852101929136271362

Everyone...
http://i63.tinypic.com/29ql36a.png

It has to be Button in the seat though surely? What's the point of having him on the payrole with his "everybody wins" contract if the first time they need an experienced driver (to race around one of the most prestigious circuits on the calendar, too) they give it to an ex-Mercedes driver or the guy who ran Cloud City?

ROFL

[JonoNic]

Would a win at Indy benefit Honda or Alonso? This is just Alonso marketing himself at the expense of the team. If he fails to win then he will stay in F1 for a few more seasons. Just remember that Alonso cannot do those brilliant starts at Monaco so his replacement can't do it either.

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So you are telling us that McLaren and Honda are backing a racing program at their own expense?

If this gimmick is successful and he leaves for a top team at the end of the season. Then unfortunately it will be at the expense of McLaren and Honda.

[Cold Fussion]

It would benefit everyone involved obviously. Why would you think otherwise?

Would a win at Indy benefit Honda or Alonso? This is just Alonso marketing himself at the expense of the team. If he fails to win then he will stay in F1 for a few more seasons. Just remember that Alonso cannot do those brilliant starts at Monaco so his replacement can't do it either.

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How does it benefit Mclaren that their star driver, who they pay millions a year, will not be driving at arguably the most important GP of the F1 calendar (especially for underpowered Mclaren) to instead par-take in a completely unrelated motorsport event?

[BosF1]

It would benefit everyone involved obviously. Why would you think otherwise?

Would a win at Indy benefit Honda or Alonso? This is just Alonso marketing himself at the expense of the team. If he fails to win then he will stay in F1 for a few more seasons. Just remember that Alonso cannot do those brilliant starts at Monaco so his replacement can't do it either.

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How does it benefit Mclaren that their star driver, who they pay millions a year, will not be driving at arguably the most important GP of the F1 calendar (especially for underpowered Mclaren) to instead par-take in a completely unrelated motorsport event?

Exposure for the McLaren brand. McLaren needs a title sponsor, Alonso needs another challenge.

[a1b2i3r45]

I guess we should open a thread just for Alonso, to discuss what "King Fernando the First" says, does or feels like.

[Cold Fussion]

It would benefit everyone involved obviously. Why would you think otherwise?

How does it benefit Mclaren that their star driver, who they pay millions a year, will not be driving at arguably the most important GP of the F1 calendar (especially for underpowered Mclaren) to instead par-take in a completely unrelated motorsport event?

Exposure for the McLaren brand. McLaren needs a title sponsor, Alonso needs another challenge.

Clearly I don't understand marketing because to me having your star driver actively not representing your brand at the most prestigious event for F1 is not positive exposure.

[Chuckjr]

tell me how exposure to millions of people is a bad thing?

[dren]

The closest racer at the moment able to do it is Nico Hulkenberg, all he has to do is win Monaco this year and Indy 500 next.

You mean Montoya? He's won Monaco and the 500...

[dren]

How does it benefit Mclaren that their star driver, who they pay millions a year, will not be driving at arguably the most important GP of the F1 calendar (especially for underpowered Mclaren) to instead par-take in a completely unrelated motorsport event?

Exposure for the McLaren brand. McLaren needs a title sponsor, Alonso needs another challenge.

Clearly I don't understand marketing because to me having your star driver actively not representing your brand at the most prestigious event for F1 is not positive exposure.

Clearly you don't understand how big of a race the 500 is, especially in the States. Andretti cars have won 2 of the last 3 Indy 500s. Mclaren is plastering their brand on a Honda powered Andretti car with Alonso behind the wheel.