How IndyCar legend Dario Franchitti assessed ‘world-class’ Fernando Alonso’s one-off Indy 500 appearance

IndyCar drivers have ventured into Formula 1 in the past, such as 1997 champion Jacques Villeneuve. But F1 drivers heading to North America is a rarity.

In 2017, that is what two-time champion Fernando Alonso did as he entered the Indianapolis 500 with McLaren. Initially thinking Zak Brown’s suggestion to enter the race was a joke, the Spaniard took part in the event in partnership with Andretti.

Subsequently, Alonso missed the 2017 Monaco Grand Prix with McLaren, with Jenson Button standing in as a one-off replacement. The 43-year-old qualified an impressive fifth for the Indy 500, despite having never driven the car before or on an oval.

Alonso’s race was going successfully, having led four times throughout the event for a total of 27 laps. However, he suffered an engine failure with 21 laps to go and was forced to retire.

The Spaniard was classified 21st in the race in what was a commendable effort for his first time in IndyCar. It made a serious impression on three-time Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti.

Dario Franchitti says Fernando Alonso was ‘world-class’ in his Indy 500 appearance in 2017

Speaking on Beyond The Grid, the four-time IndyCar champion said Alonso was ‘world-class’ in the Indy 500. Franchitti found that he had a ‘special’ feel for the car after talking to his team at McLaren.

“Such a hard thing that Fernando did and he did a really good job and not surprising,” he said.

“I say world class, he’s got that 0.01%, hasn’t he? He’s something special. Watching what he was doing, and I remember talking to the guys at McLaren, his feel for the car was special.

“And you’ve got to have that at Indy, the car’s floating at average speeds of 235mph in qualifying. You’re absolutely floating the car.

“You’re backing it into the corner, depending on the wind direction. It’s the tightest of tightropes because the speed deltas between slowest and fastest speed on a lap is so small.

“The margin for error is minuscule, the car is only designed to turn left, it’s only set up to turn left.”

READ MORE: Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso’s life outside F1 from net worth to Cars 2

Could Fernando Alonso venture into other categories after retiring from F1?

Alonso left F1 in 2018 after four frustrating years at McLaren. During his sabbatical, he entered the Indy 500 two more times, failing to qualify in 2019 and finishing 21st in 2020.

The Spaniard returned to F1 in 2021 with Alpine and is now in his third season with Aston Martin in 2025. He is enduring a frustrating campaign as he is pointless after seven races.

Alonso was ‘really hurt’ by one Aston Martin decision at Imola, as they committed to the hard tyres for too long. He had qualified an impressive fifth but came home P11; he will want to see improvements from the team.

Alonso is ‘hanging on’ until 2026 with the Silverstone outfit as he hopes the new regulations and Adrian Newey will give him a competitive car. His contract with the team is likely to be his last in F1.

Former boss Brown says the Spaniard’s career is almost over, but he could offer him refuge at another race. Brown would ‘love’ Alonso to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans for McLaren in 2027; an event the 43-year-old has won twice before with Toyota.