Four-time Verizon IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon has some advice for two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso if the McLaren F1 driver considers a jump to IndyCar in the future.

Be prepared to take a pay cut.

Alonso, who reportedly makes $20 million a year as a driver in the Formula 1 World Championship, might be fortunate to make one-tenth of that -- or less -- if he signed with an upper-level Verizon IndyCar Series team.

Dixon is one of the all-time greatest drivers in IndyCar Series history, with four championships and 40 career victories -- fourth on the all-time victory list behind Michael Andretti’s 42, Mario Andretti’s 52 and A.J. Foyt’s 67. But Dixon is probably making a few million dollars a year less than Michael Andretti made during the 1992 season in CART.

“He would definitely have to take a tremendous pay cut,” Dixon told Autoweek.

Two weeks ago, during an interview while watching the IndyCar Series race at Texas, Alonso was asked if he would consider a full-time ride in the Verizon IndyCar Series if things don’t improve with McLaren’s Formula 1 effort. His response: “Why not? Anything is possible.”

Dixon was impressed with Alonso’s rookie effort in the 101st Indianapolis 500. He quickly adapted to the different style of racing, started fifth and finished 24th after leading 27 laps before his Honda engine blew up on lap 179. Alonso called the experience the most fun he’s ever had in a race car.

Scott Dixon is back in red this weekend after spending last weekend in the Ganassi Racing Ford GT blue (above) at Le Mans. LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

“I think what is appealing to everybody is you are somewhat on a level playing field and you can compete,” Dixon said. “It goes back to your junior category days, in some aspects. You turn up to a go-kart track, you have similar equipment and you can win. Right now, he is in the polar opposite of that, where Formula 1 only has a couple of cars that can win for the whole season. He is definitely on the midpack or backwards with the performance of the car and reliability.

“For him, it was very enjoyable to be competitive at the Indianapolis 500 but also enjoy driving it, so I’m sure it’s very enjoyable to him. I think he’s in a period, too, where he is exploring many options and being open-minded, so there is no point in him saying no to any possibility. It would be a big direction change for him if he ever did choose to do that. I’m sure everybody would welcome him and he would personally enjoy it, but it would be a big change.”

McLaren has also acknowledged interest in a full-time Verizon IndyCar Series team in the future, but executive director Zak Brown said earlier this week that it remains a “few years down the road.” McLaren would already have needed to make the decision to join IndyCar to have a full-time effort in 2018, and no decision has been made.

However, it’s very likely McLaren will participate in the 102nd Indianapolis 500 in 2018.

“It would be big if McLaren joined our series,” Dixon said. “Budgetwise, if you look at the current formula, it is minuscule to what they spend, so it would be very achievable. IndyCar has some prospects to get the field bigger and more diverse with owners. It would be positive, especially with a name like McLaren. They have a lot of history and heritage, and to see them revisit it this year with Alonso and get back to Indianapolis was exciting.

“McLaren is an icon, and it’s very cool to see.”

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