MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 08:06:34| >> :600:168551180:168551180:

Fernley heads McLaren's bid for IndyCar success

Fernando Alonso will drive for the team as he bids to become the second driver to complete motor racing's 'triple crown'.

Bob Fernley has been placed in charge of Fernando Alonso's bid to complete the 'Triple Crown'.

Fernley, the 51-year-old former Force India deputy team principal, joins as president of McLaren's IndyCar operation, and will spearhead their challenge in America next May.

McLaren are running an entry for the Indy 500 with Alonso, 37, looking to add to his Monaco Grand Prix and Le Mans victories, and follow in Graham Hill's footsteps as the only other driver to have won all three races.

Alonso will retire from Formula One at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which takes place a week on Sunday.

Fernley, who parted company with Force India after his ally Vijay Mallya lost control of the team earlier this year, said: "I'm proud to be leading this McLaren project and team.

"The (Indy) 500 is a hell of a challenge and we have incredibly strong competitors to overcome if we're to be successful.

"We need to prepare well and that work starts now."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Philip Duncan, Press Association Sport F1 Correspondent');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'cba6fd7b-9a46-45ad-85f5-cc787f13889c');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:auto,sport:other');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Fernley heads McLaren\u2019s bid for IndyCar success'});

ID:341624: cacheID:341624:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2970:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone walks in the paddock before the first practice session at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi on November 27, 2015
Read Next:
Ecclestone quiet on Brazil GP rescue
>
Read more about Bob Fernley Formula 1