Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Johnny Rutherford will act as a McLaren ambassador during this year’s running of the event.
McLaren is returning to the race for the first time in several decades, with a one-car team run by Andretti, and powered by Honda, driven by Fernando Alonso.
Rutherford was present at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway last week when Alonso carried out a private test, in which he passed the mandatory Rookie Orientation Programme.
Rutherford, 79, claimed victories with McLaren at the event in 1972 and 1974, and went on to add a third triumph to his name in 1980.
“The McLaren name still means a lot to me – it has a very special place in my heart, in fact, for obvious reasons,” he said.
“So when I heard that not only was McLaren heading back to Indianapolis – after a near 40-year absence, and with Fernando behind the wheel, and that they would also be reviving the same, famous orange livery that was made famous by Bruce McLaren himself in the 1960s and ’70s – well, I was blown away. That’s just neat, real neat.
“I’m thrilled and excited about ‘coming home’ to McLaren for the famous month of May, and I want to do everything I can to help make the team’s return to Indy as enjoyable and successful as possible.
“Make no mistake, this is a fantastic story for IndyCar, for Formula 1 and for motor racing in general, so to be able to help play a small part in it is just fantastic.”
