Could Lando Norris emulate Indy 500 attempts of Fernando Alonso?

Lando Norris

Could Norris emulate Indy 500 attempts of Fernando Alonso?

Norris "would love" a crack at the Indy

Sam Hall

Wednesday 6 May 2020 11:55 Updated: 12:26

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Lando Norris "would love" a real crack at the Indianapolis 500, and potentially emulate the attempts of two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso.

The global shutdown has enabled drivers from various disciplines to compete in virtual incarnations of some of the most famous races in the world.

Competing recently on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, McLaren driver Norris showed strongly against the regular IndyCar drivers until taken out in controversial fashion late on by Simon Pagenaud.

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Norris, however, is keen to one day have a go at the real thing, as Alonso did in 2017 with McLaren-Honda-Andretti Racing before a failed attempt last year with McLaren Racing as the Spaniard did not qualify.

“I mean, I would love to do (IndyCar),” Norris told RACER. “I’m always up for trying something new and trying something different. And I have been since I started, I’ve done a different route to a lot of people.

"I’ve done a lot of different categories, starting with Ginetta, I guess, was the first different path that I took to the majority.

“Also doing Formula 3, Formula Renault, Formula 4 and European Formula 4 as well – I’ve done a lot of different cars. And then MABA (McLaren Autosport BRDC Award) as well getting to drive GT3, DTM.

"I just find it really cool being able to experience different cars, especially when they’ve got a roof on them."

Norris made his Daytona 24 debut in 2018 driving for the Zak Brown-owned United Autosport team.

Racing alongside Fernando Alonso and Phil Hanson, a brake problem took away any chance of success, but Norris is keen on a return.

“I love it, and so I would love to go and do the Daytona 24 Hour again after doing that, and just try and do a bit better and not finish 85 laps down or something!" added Norris.

“I would love to, but I obviously have priorities and things that I have to focus on, and things that I would think about in future years.

"And now, obviously, all of my focus is on F1, but at the same time, if I get an opportunity to go and race an IndyCar or do the Indy 500 – or any series basically – I would love to try it and go and do it.

"I don’t know if that’s going to be next year, this year, in 10 years, but it’s something I look forward to.”

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