McLaren to send small support crew to Indy for Alonso

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McLaren's Zak Brown has revealed that McLaren will be sending a small delegation to help Andretti Autosports with its efforts in running Fernando Alonso in next month's Indy 500.

The Spanish driver will be driving a jointly entered McLaren, Honda and Andretti Autosport car with Woking-based personnel directly involved in the project.

"Andretti Autosport will take the lead," Brown told broadcaster NBCSN.

"Michael will be calling the race. It will be his team over the wall. We are sending out a small crew to support.

"We have some areas where some of the technology we’ve developed will be beneficial. From everything to the technology on the car to some of our people.

"We’ve got some people with some great IndyCar experience. We can’t detract or remove any effort towards our Formula 1 (effort). It will be people from the factory that will have relevant experience."

Andretti hails perfect Indy opportunity for Alonso

Brown also confirmed McLarens longer-term goal of one day fielding its own Indycar effort.

"I would like to see the Indy 500 being part of McLaren’s annual racing efforts when we go racing," Brown said.

"We have to make sure we do it competitively; it has to be commercially viable and fits our brand. We feel IndyCar and the Indianapolis 500 offer all those things to McLaren.

"I’d say a full season program in McLaren is not yet under full consideration and would be years away because that would be a tall order."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.