Fernley out at McLaren after Indy qualifying debacle

McLaren IndyCar president Bob Fernley has left the team following its inability to put Fernando Alonso on the grid of the Indy 500.

Fernley, the former deputy team principal of Force India in F1, was nominated as McLaren's project leader to guide its return to the Brickyard as an independent concern.

The Woking-based outfit confirmed Fernley's departure.

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"My contract only covered the Indy 500 programme," Fernley told Motorsport.com.

In addition to his extensive F1 credentials, the 66-year-old racing manager's past experience included several involvement at Indy in the 1980s.

McLaren and Alonso's week at the Speedway went from bad to worse, starting with electrical problems that restricted running and then a heavy crash that put the pair on the back foot.

In qualifying, the Chevy-powered papaya Dallara was a handful from the outset, with Alonso undertaking multiple - and unfruitful - runs on Saturday.

Ultimately, it all came down to four laps on Sunday, the average of which fell short of enabling the 37-year-old to secure a spot on the last row of next Sunday's big race.

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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.