Alonso reduces chances of returning to the Indy 500 and blames aeroscreen: "It's less fun".

Close to his 41st birthday, Fernando Alonso is going for his "home race" in Formula 1 with the Spanish GP, which takes place this weekend at the Barcelona circuit. The Asturian driver gave a long interview to the British broadcaster BBC and recalled his time at the Indianapolis 500.

In 2017, Alonso competed for Andretti and even led part of the race, but an engine failure ended the Spaniard's dream, who tried again for McLaren in 2019 and 2020. On the first mentioned occasion, he did not even qualify for the race, while he bitterly suffered a 21st place in the following edition.

Asked about his dream of completing the Triple Crown of motorsport, since he had victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Monaco GP, Alonso put the brakes on his expectations, and mentioned the entry of the aeroscreen, a device implanted for cockpit protection, as something that reduced his desire to race in the category.

"It's a smaller goal now. The last two attempts at Indy with the aeroscreen made the car a little different, and talking to some colleagues, the cars became more difficult to drive and to follow each other. It became less fun. In 2017, there were several overtakes and I loved that race. There was less love in the last few years without being able to overtake," he commented.

Alonso is in his second season with Alpine since his return to the Formula 1 grid. Currently, the driver has 2 points added to the 2022 season with his victory in the Bahrain GP.

"And there's the risk factor. In the Indy 500, big accidents happen every year. Now I am totally focused on Formula 1. When I stop, I don't know if I will be tempted to try again. It's not completely a 'no,' but it has become a minor project," he concluded.

Alonso runs the Spanish GP this Sunday (22), at the Barcelona circuit. On the same day, the Indy 500 holds the qualifying for the race that takes place next 29th.