The might of McLaren and Fernando Alonso was bumped from the 2019 Indy 500, by a part-time team and driver.
Fernando Alonso’s focus after leaving F1 in 2018 was on achieving victory in the Indianapolis 500 and completing the motorsport Triple Crown. Prior to that, only Graham Hill had accomplished this feat by winning the Indy 500, Monaco Grand Prix, and Le Mans 24 Hours. Alonso had secured two out of the three wins, with victories in Monaco in 2006 and 2007, and at Le Mans in 2018.
His first attempt at the Indy 500 in 2017 was thwarted by an engine failure when he was in contention for the win. Undeterred, he returned with McLaren in 2019, only to face setbacks in qualifying and the disappointment of being bumped from the starting field.
The Indy 500 limits the race to 33 starters, with drivers below 31st place after the first day of qualifying at risk of being bumped. In 2019, with 36 entries, three drivers faced elimination through bumping.
Alonso’s troubles began during pre-qualifying sessions in 2019, marking a tumultuous period in his pursuit of the Triple Crown.
