IndyCar newsflash: Johnson to test IndyCar, Alonso/McLaren update
Jimmie Johnson set for IndyCar test – Fernando Alonso and McLaren join forces once again – Carlin signs Felipe Nasr and Sergio Sette Camara
Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson will retire from NASCAR by the end of 2020. However, the legendary number 48 driver has announced via social media that in April he will do an IndyCar test with Arrow McLaren SP at Barber Motorsports Park. He has expressed interest to join the IndyCar Series in 2021, presumably for road and street courses only.
Back in 2018, Johnson had already successfully tested a McLaren Formula 1 car in a ride swap with Fernando Alonso.
Alonso rejoins McLaren for the Indy 500
At last, the 104th running of the Indy 500 will see the return of Fernando Alonso. After lengthy attempts to reunite with Andretti Autosport, the deal ultimately could not come to fruition. Engine supplier Honda vetoed to renew the partnership with the double Formula 1 champion and 24h of Le Mans winner.
The Spaniard will now rejoin McLaren for the Indy 500 in May, having cut ties with them only back in January. Alonso is set to run the third Arrow McLaren SP entry beside full-time drivers Oliver Askew and Pato O’Ward. Notably, they will be powered by Chevrolet engines.
Felipe Nasr and Sergio Sette Camara will share seat at Carlin
Carlin had already resigned with Briton Max Chilton for 2020. The British squad have now also secured Brazilians Felipe Nasr and Sergio Sette Camara to share the second cockpit alongside Chilton. The schedule for the driver swaps have not been confirmed by the team yet.
Nasr raced for Sauber in Formula 1 in 2015 and 2016 before moving to IMSA, where he went on to win the championship in 2018. Retaining his seat in IMSA, the Brazilian will be on double duty in 2020.
Having previously worked with Carlin in Formula 3 and Formula 2, the promising 21-year-old Sette Camara will try to impress further in IndyCar. In 2019 he finished 4th in the Formula 2 championship while also serving as the test and development driver for McLaren’s Formula 1 team.
