Zak Brown, executive director of the McLaren Technology Group and brainchild behind Fernando Alonso's trip to this year's Indianapolis 500, was asked on Wednesday about his biggest surprise of the experience so far. "The part that's impressed me the most is that it has all gone so well so far, which is all the credit to the people at McLaren, the people at Andretti and the people at IndyCar," Brown said. "You say we've been here a month. It feels like we've crammed about 12 months of planning successfully into one month. Usually that's a recipe for disaster. The willingness, contribution, collaboration between those three entities has been outstanding, on and off the track. That's why I think everything's gone so well, is everyone has played their part. "It might have been my wild and crazy idea, but it took the bravery of my bosses to say yes. It took Fernando wanting to do it." Alonso, a two-time F1 champion buried at the bottom of the Formula 1 driver standings this year, is driving like a champion this month as part of the defending Indy 500 championship Andretti Autosport team at Indianapolis. He qualified fifth for Sunday's race.

Alonso finished second the last time he raced at Indianapolis, albeit on the IMS road course, when F1 made its last stop there in 2007. Brown said the vibe around Indianapolis is good, and an F1 return to the Brickyard one day is intriguing. "Formula 1 at IMS works," Brown said. "I think they've changed the configuration of the track a little bit. I think it makes sense for Formula 1 to be at the world's greatest racetrack. I think the city of Indianapolis is well-catered to take care of Formula 1, just like it did in the past, and Super Bowl. "I think the drivers like it. I think Indianapolis is easy to get to geographically. I realize it may not have the glamour of some of the other markets that are being spoken about, but it's here, it's ready to go. I think economically, given that (new F1 owner) Liberty (Media) is taking a different view on some of their future partnerships, I think there is an opportunity there. Personally, I'd like to see it happen. How about really breaking the mold and having IndyCar and Formula 1 on the same weekend bill at Indianapolis? There might even be a few drivers who would try to drive in both races. "The crossover part, I think, would probably be a bit tricky," Brown said. "That aside, I like the idea. I think, personally speaking, going to a race weekend -- the more exciting racing, the better. An IndyCar, Formula 1 double-header sounds cool. I don't know why that would be any more or less feasible than doing them individually. So why not?"

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