Daniel Ricciardo believes the fact that Fernando Alonso does not have a competitive car in 2017 makes it a more sensible decision for the Spaniard to skip the Monaco Grand Prix in order to race in the Indianapolis 500.
Alonso will race for Andretti Autosport at the legendary event with Jenson Button coming in to replace him in the McLaren Honda Formula 1 Team at Monte Carlo, but Red Bull Racing’s Ricciardo believes it is a good opportunity for the Spaniard this month of May.
“Fernando is missing a good one,” said Ricciardo on Autosport. “Then again, if you’re not fighting at the front, it can be a long race around there.
“It’s cool that he’s doing it. He’s picked a good time to do it. It’s an opportunity and he can do it with a good team as well. I sense his frustrations, his position in F1 at the moment.
“If he’s been given that opportunity, I probably would take it as well, in his position, at his age.”
Ricciardo believes Alonso’s decision to race at Indianapolis could open doors for other drivers to try different things, but for the Australian all he hopes for is a faster Formula 1 car so to challenge for race wins.
“It could open up some doors,” said Ricciardo. “I guess, probably more at the tail end of my F1 career, I’d be looking more at my options.
“Now, nothing seems that attractive. Now I want a faster F1 car, as opposed to a fast IndyCar or something.”
