This month's Indy 500 could be Fernando Alonso's last chance saloon to win motorsport's Triple Crown as the Spaniard won't be racing at the Brickyard once he returns to F1 with Renault.
Barring any unforeseen event that could pop up in the next week, Alonso will take part in the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 on August 23 as all 33 entrants have been guaranteed a spot on the grid.
The 39-year-old will drive for Arrow McLaren SP, a solid outfit that heads to Indy well prepared, contrary to the ill-fated McLaren-Carlin effort that undermined Alonso's bid at the Speedway last year.
"I found a lot of talented people and good resources on everything, a lot of personnel, each one doing a specific job,"Alonso told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
"I had a very nice feeling, a nice surprise of how well the team is organized and prepared and I think it's going to be a good 500 for us."
Alonso impressed upon his first visit to Indianapolis in 2017 when he led the race for 27 laps onboard a McLaren-entered Andretti Autosport contender before an engine failure put him out of contention.
That year, the two-time F1 world champion who was racing for McLaren in F1, had scrapped the Monaco Grand Prix to take part on the same weekend in racing's blue riband event.
But no such plan will likely be possible in the next two years as Alonso gives full priority to his commitment to Renault in F1.
"I think I approach the race knowing the next two years is going to be impossible to come," he said. "I will have to miss qualifying weekend if I wanted to do so.
"I will not be any more with McLaren next year in F1 [so] that will not work either. I know at least for two years I will not be here.
"Look, this is the way it is at the moment. I'm here ready to enjoy the event, ready to give my best, and help the team as much as I can.
"Let's see in the future what are the possibilities. If you eventually win one day the race, maybe that opens the possibility for different things."
©ArrowMcLarenSP
He may line up as a dark horse at the Speedway come August 23rd, but Alonso's motivation to win the Indy 500 and secure the Triple Crown has never been stronger.
"It's one of those things that you need to keep trying because eventually maybe one time it will come your way," he said.
"The 500, especially, or Le Mans, they are races that you have been chosen that day — by the race, by the track, by the luck or destiny.
"There are no exacting mathematics on those kind of races. There is a luck factor. I have this impression that the more times you attempt, the more chances you've got."
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