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Fernando Alonso shocked Formula 1 in 2017 when he bypassed the Monaco Grand Prix for a crack at the Indianapolis 500. The legendary Spanish driver would go on to enter the race on three occasions.

The Indy 500 is one of the oldest motorsports events in the world and the 2026 edition will take place on Sunday. First held in 1911, it pits 33 drivers against one another over a gruelling 500 miles, or 200 laps of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The event is one-third of the unofficial triple crown of motorsport, completed when a driver wins the Indy 500, the Monaco Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Nine years ago, Alonso, then at the struggling McLaren, opted to bypass an F1 race to pursue this feat.

Alonso became an F1 world champion for the first time in 2005 with Renault and defended his title in 2006. He then joined McLaren in 2007 and partnered with rookie Lewis Hamilton, leaving after just one year.

Having spent years with Ferrari, he returned to McLaren in 2015, but the team's car was uncompetitive so he sought new opportunities. In 2017, it was announced that he would not race at Monaco, an event he won in 2006 and 2007, in favour of the Indy 500.

"The Indy 500 is one of the most famous races on the global motorsport calendar, rivalled only by the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Monaco Grand Prix," he said. "It's of course a regret of mine that I won't be able to race at Monaco this year.

"But Monaco will be the only 2017 Grand Prix I'll be missing and I'll be back in the cockpit of the McLaren-Honda MCL32 for the Canadian Grand Prix. I've won the Monaco Grand Prix twice, and it's one of my ambitions to win the triple crown which has been achieved by only one driver in the history of motorsport: Graham Hill. It's a tough challenge, but I'm up for it."

Alonso impressed as an Indy 500 rookie, qualifying on the second row in 5th and leading for 27 laps. However, his Honda engine blew up on lap 179, forcing him to retire. He said after the race: "It's true that before coming here some of the questions were how you can trade Monaco for Indy 500. I won two times there, I won two world championships. To drive around Monaco for a sixth place, seventh place. To be here is not possible to compare with that thing. I didn't miss Monaco."

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The Spaniard left McLaren in 2018, seeking new challenges, and went on to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice, including once while still competing in F1. In 2019, he attempted to qualify for the Indy 500 for the second time but was bumped. He returned a year later and finished in 21st, meaning his pursuit of the triple crown continues.

Alonso made his F1 comeback in 2021 with Alpine and currently drives for Aston Martin, who he'll represent at the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix, which takes place on the same day as this year's Indy 500.