After three races of the 2017 Formula One season, Fernando Alonso's struggle looks set to continue for a long time as the McLaren team, powered by Honda engines, have not been able to give him a car strong enough to compete. The two-time Formula One world champion has failed to pick up points from the first three races and could be set to leave F1 at the end of the season, should things at McLaren not improve.
However, despite Alonso struggling to replicate his form that saw him win two world titles with Renault, the Spaniard is still considered one of the best race car drivers at the moment. The McLaren driver announced that he will be racing at this year's Indianapolis 500 and suggested that he could win it after Alex Rossi did it in his first year.
Also read: Juan Pablo Montoya excited to be back and looking forward to competing against Fernando Alonso
However, after spending time with his new Andretti Autosport team-mates, he admitted that it won't be easy to jump to a different series. The Spaniard has also been given an extra day of testing on May 3 after the 2017 Russian Grand Prix.
"Winning is something really big and I think you need a lot of things to come to you but I take it more like an experience. I know that if the race is tomorrow I would not be ready to do it because I know nothing about it," Express quoted Alonso as saying.
"But I will go step by step: do some simulator laps first and try to be as good as anyone on the simulator; as good as anyone in qualifying and running alone; and then as good as anyone in traffic. It's so challenging that it's exciting at the same time," he added.
Checkout Fernando Alonso's first Indycar visit
Alonso is looking to become only the second driver in history after Graham Hill to win the Triple Crown in motorsport racing. To achieve that feat, a driver must win Indy 500, 24 hours of Le Mans and Monaco Grand Prix.
The Spaniard has already won Monaco Grand Prix and said earlier that he wants to prove himself as a complete racer by winning Indy 500 and Le Mans as well.
No one knows what to expect from Alonso at this year's Indy 500, but if he does end up winning it just like Rossi did it in his first year, he could end up with the Triple Crown later in his career. He admitted that racing in Le Mans would be easier because the cars are a lot similar.
"Some of the F1 drivers that jump into the Le Mans car, they have no difficulties in terms of adapting. The 24 Hours is a little different, it is a more relaxed race, you can do it at an older age," Alonso said.
