While many believe the move that will see Fernando Alonso miss the Monaco Grand Prix and head across the Atlantic to take part in the Indy 500 is a work of genius, others are not so sure, believing the Spaniard and his team (and engine partner) have made a monumental mistake.

Speaking at the official press conference, Red Bull boss Christian Horner described the move, which was driven by McLaren boss Zak Brown - who was sitting alongside him - as "barking mad".

Asked if he would consider allowing one of his drivers to miss a Grand Prix in order to compete in another race, the Briton said: "It's a difficult one for Fernando, he's having a tough time. Zak's got the problem that he got a depressed driver on his hands; he's trying to keep him motivated.

"He's come up with this idea, send him to Indianapolis," he continued. "Must be barking mad, it's the nuttiest race I've ever seen. No testing. He's just going to jump in the car. Turn One is a proper turn as well. It's not just easy flat all the way round. I think he needs to see a psychiatrist personally.

"Would we let our drivers do it - no," he insisted. "I believe if a driver commits to a team... it's a bit like disappearing with another girlfriend half way through the year and then coming back, it doesn't seem the right thing to be doing. Perhaps if the races didn't clash or do it at the end of his Formula One career, but obviously McLaren have got this approach which is different to ours but good for them."

Asked the same question, Claire Williams admitted: "Not to upset the gentleman on my left (Brown) but, no.

"I don't know if that's because I'm my father's daughter and I know Frank probably wouldn't," she added, "but no I don't think I would but I won't expand on the reasons why."

Brown subsequently tweeted the infamous picture of Horner jumping into a swimming pool wearing a Superman cape, accompanying the picture with the words; "sorry Christian, which of us needs to see a psychiatrist?!"

The picture was taken in 2009... in Monaco.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by nonickname, 15/04/2017 14:04

"The barking dog is Horner. Pity he does not keep his big mouth shut and look after his own team. He is the one who barked 'we will leave F1 blablabla', JUST BECAUSE HIS BOSS TOLD HIM TO. Real independent thinker this man. If the boss said today, enter in the Indy 500 he would be running around looking for a car."

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2. Posted by Editor, 15/04/2017 13:47

"@ Ryanhellyer

Pascal Wehrlein’s misadventure in the Race of Champions highlights why those days are never coming back.

These days teams have too much invested in their drivers to risk them in other series, especially the big guns.

As someone who lived through the era of the likes of Brabham, Hill, Rodriguez and Surtees racing in different series I fully understand the desire of other fans to see similar moves….

However, what worries me most about this particular ‘stunt’, other than the fear of Fernando being injured, is that it does absolutely nothing to solve McLaren-Honda’s F1 issue.

It is a smoke and mirrors exploit, cynically manufactured to try and divert attention from the fact that for the third year running the partnership is floundering.

It was only weeks ago that we were talking of McLaren ditching Honda mid-season, of Fernando walking away from F1."

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3. Posted by ryanhellyer, 15/04/2017 12:14

"I think Claire and Christian should take a leaf out of Zak's book. I've been wanting F1 drivers to branch out into other series for as long as I have been a fan. It's nice to see it finally happening. Hopefully the other big name drivers start insisting on this being allowed in their contracts going forward."

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Alonso Indy decision "barking mad", says Horner

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