BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Fernando Alonso is on a personal "Indy 500 adventure" that is both a labor of love and ambition for the two-time Formula One champion.
The Spaniard will attempt to run the Indianapolis 500 next month, and hopefully, some day, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It's part of his quest to win what's considered the Triple Crown of racing - Alonso already has won the Monaco Grand Prix - but this bid will require him to master new cars and racing styles.
Maybe that's why Indy is so appealing at this stage of his successful career.
"I want to be the most complete driver in the world and the best driver in the world, and I want to win all the series in different cars with different driving techniques," Alonso said Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park, where he'd flown from Europe to watch Andretti Autosport compete in the IndyCar race.
To be the most complete driver in the world, Alonso has a lofty goal for Indianapolis: "I need to win it. And if it's not this year, we will plan it for the next attempt."
Alonso drives for struggling McLaren in Formula One. He will be the sixth entry for Andretti Autosport at Indy in a partnership with Honda and McLaren. The 35-year-old has begun preparing for Indy by testing on a simulator, where the walls aren't so intimidating and there's no traffic to negotiate.
He flew to Alabama on Saturday, had dinner with his fellow Andretti drivers and flashed both confidence and humor at a Sunday news conference. Team and IndyCar executives believe the Formula One-to-Indy move by such an accomplished driver is a win for all sides, bringing exposure across the ocean in both directions.
This is McLaren's first time in the Indy 500 in 38 years. Stefan Wilson gave up his ride to accommodate Alonso, and Brown called him "the unsung hero in this whole process."