Honda torpedo Fernando Alonso Triple Crown dream

Alonso

Alonso Triple Crown dream torpedoed by Honda

Past criticisms catch up on Alonso

Sam Hall

Monday 3 February 2020 17:55

Honda have blocked Fernando Alonso's latest assault on the Triple Crown by vetoing a deal that would have seen him compete with Andretti Autosport - a team that race under Honda power.

According to a report published by RACER, the deal for Alonso to race with Andretti Autosport was on the verge of completion when Honda Performance Development contacted the manufacturer's global headquarters in Tokyo for the green light for the final sign off.

Expected to be a mere formality, the Honda bosses instead gave the order that no such deal was to go ahead.

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As a result, Alonso, whose two prior attempts at the 500 came under Honda power, will now be looking for a ride in a Chevrolet powered team.

Alonso's problems with Honda began in 2015 when the manufacturer joined forces with McLaren in Formula One. Consistent reliability problems plagued the team following the switch from Mercedes power and, right up to their final race together at the end of 2017, the Spaniard complained publicly about the product supplied by Honda.

Speaking to F1 Racing magazine recently, Alonso explained, “I said it out of frustration, maybe I shouldn’t have said it. But I didn’t say it for television or at the press conference, I was just talking to my engineer, it was a private conversation. It was a private conversation.

"It wasn’t supposed to be public, but the engine was very bad."

Honda's decision also puts a question mark on a 2021 Formula One for Alonso. The Spaniard, who would be 40-years old at the start of 2021, has said that Red Bull would be an option for him.

Running with Honda power and looking like a strong partnership for the foreseeable future, it is unlikely that Alonso would be welcomed at either Red Bull or their sister AlphaTauri team.