Honda veto Fernando Alonso’s Andretti Indianapolis 500 deal

After five years it seems Honda are not yet ready to let go of Fernando Alonso’s “GP2 engine” criticism, vetoing his proposed deal to race for Andretti Autosport in this year’s Indianapolis 500.

‘GP2’ comments comes back to haunt Alonso

What a difference seven days makes in a news cycle as, while last week it was reported that Alonso would return to the Brickyard in May to contest the Indianapolis 500, this week the answer is no.

Last week Spanish daily Diario AS claimed that Alonso and Andretti Autosport were on the verge of announcing that the Spaniard would race for the Honda-powered team at this year’s Indianapolis 500.

It would be Alonso’s third attempt at the Indy 500, the only part missing from his Triple Crown as he has already won F1’s Monaco GP and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

However, a week later it is being reported that Honda have scuppered the deal.

According to several sources, Honda’s big bosses over in Japan have said no to the deal, not wanting to be associated with Alonso in any way. Not even for a few weeks.

Still smarting over ‘GP2’

While Honda has not publicly confirmed the reason for saying no, it is believed it relates to that infamous “GP2” criticism from Alonso.

Back at the 2015 Japanese GP, the double F1 World Champion voiced his frustration over the Honda engine powering his McLaren F1 car.

“GP2 engine” he yelled over the radio, comparing his F1 power unit to that of one from the feeder series.

Of course it was broadcast to the world by FOM.

But while Alonso concedes maybe he shouldn’t have said that about the engine, he insists it was a “private” conversation and not one meant for the world’ ears.

“It came from a place of frustration and maybe I should not say that, but I didn’t say it in the TV pen or the press conference,” he recently told F1 Racing magazine.

“I was talking to my engineer in a private conversation. It was not meant to be public.

“But the engine was very bad. The first year in Jerez, in four days we did seven laps.”

Alonso’s Indy options limited to Chevy

Alonso is not completely out of options for an Indy 500 bid as he could still partner with a Chevrolet-powered team.

However, Chevy’s two top teams, Team Penske and Ed Carpenter Racing, have full dance cards so he’d have to go with one of the smaller less successful outfits.

That leaves Arrow McLaren SP, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, DragonSpeed, Juncos Racing and A.J. Foyt Racing as his options.