Fernando Alonso might not return to do next year's Indy 500, according to Zak Brown.
The new McLaren executive engineered the Spaniard's controversial skipping of the Monaco Grand Prix to bid for victory in the fabled US race.
However, Brown is quoted by Brazil's UOL as suggesting that he has other plans for Alonso in light of a similar race date clash in 2018.
"I hope he gets back on track with us to win the Monaco Grand Prix again," he said, "which means that perhaps the return [to Indy] will not happen in 2018.
"Of course the calendar isn't final yet but our main objective is to win again in Monaco with Fernando in the car."
Yet he said that does not mean Alonso, 35, will never return to the 'Brickyard'.
"I think he's coming back someday, but I do not know what year," said Brown.
"He wants to win the triple crown and I don't believe he was expecting to win first time out. So I think he's coming back."
McLaren's failure to get any points on the board continued in Alonso's absence in Monaco.
