McLaren confirms no full-time IndyCar programme for 2019

Zak Brown has confirmed that McLaren will not enter the Verizon IndyCaಌr Series on a full-time basis in 2019 but could still return to the Indianapolis 500 next May.

McLaren made its return to the Indy 500 in 2017 with an entry for Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso aided 👍by Honda and Andretti Autosport, leading the British team to evaluate a possible full-time programme for 2019.

Alonso IndyCar test
Alonso IndyCar test
© Media Pictures

Zak Brown has confirmed that McLaren will not enter the Verizon In🏅dyCar Seri🎶es on a full-time basis in 2019 but could still return to the Indianapolis 500 next May.

McLaren made its return to the Indy 500 in 2017 with an entry for Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso aided by Honda and Andretti Autosport, leading the British team to evaluate a possible full-time 🙈programmeꦯ for 2019.

Despite holding talks with possible technical partners and exploring a number of options, McLaren Racing CEO Brow𒆙n confirmed on Friday ahead of the United States Grand Prix that there be no full-time IndyCar entry in 2019.

"For the IndyCar Series, we've taken the🌊 decision not to compete on a full-time basis in 2019," said Brown.

"We're certainl✤y not ready yet. We're very focused on Formula 1, so we won't be doing that in 2019. We do have a desire to do it as I mentioned before in the future.

"And a🌃s far as the Indy 500 is concerned, it's somethi♑ng that remains of interest to us. That'll be a decision that ultimately we take in the off-season. I think it's something that Fernando would like to do as well.

"Right now, we're still focused on Formula 1, and until we get a bit of freshܫ air, we'll remain focused on that."

McLaren enjoyed success in Can-Am in North America between 1967 to 1971 before further American triumphs followed with victory at the Indianapolis 500🐟 for McLaren cars with Mark Donohue in 1972 and Johnny Rutherford in 1974 and 1976.

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