Brown: Laser-focused Alonso can win the Indy 500

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McLaren boss Zak Brown believes Fernando Alonso has as good a chance of winning the Indy 500 on May 28th as any of the top drivers in the field.

Brown was the principal instigator behind Alonso's venture at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and enjoyed a front-row seat on Wednesday when the Spaniard made his debut at the Brickyard.

All things considered, the McLaren executive believes the two-time F1 world champion is in for a shot at winning the Indy 500.

"I think he can win," Brown told CNN's World Sport.

"He's going in with the mindset of doing the best job possible and if he's able to do that, and if he's got a good car underneath him -- which he does -- he's absolutely capable of winning.

"There's about 15 people who can win the race -- to give you a sense of how competitive it is -- and he is one of those," Brown added.

"He knows it's a long way to the race and so he's just laser focused."

Alonso must expect setbacks - de Ferran

Asked about the possibility that Alonso's experience at Indy could prove compelling and lead to the Spaniard leaving F1 for a season in the US, Brown said he was thinking about that prospect for now.

"I think he wants to race competitively, he's got a lot of time left in his career and has a decent amount of time left in his F1 career.

"Something like this just motivates him but I don't think it necessarily takes him off his track which is to win another world championship."

GALLERY: Alonso's Indy 500 challenger

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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.