"Definitely there are some busy weeks to come," admits Fernando
Monday 24 April 2017 13:51, UK
Fernando Alonso has revealed his remarkably busy schedule as the McLaren driver prepares to embark on his Indianapolis 500 adventure.
The Spaniard will become the first serving F1 driver in over 20 years to take part in the legendary event next month but will have to miss F1's own showpiece event, the Monaco GP, in order to chase his dream of becoming only the second driver in motorsport history to win the Triple Crown - Monaco, the Indy 500 and Le Mans.
But in addition to the challenge of adapting to a new car and a new series, Alonso also faces a gruelling travel schedule that will see him journey back and forth between Europe and America throughout the next month.
The two-world champion even intends to test his new car, a Honda-powered Andretti, in America the day after competing in his home race, the Spanish GP on May 14.
Such is the compression of Alonso's schedule that the 35-year-old is already factoring in the long hours he will spend criss-crossing the Atlantic for essential homework.
"On the planes l will try to look at videos of past races and try to learn as quickly as l can," he said. "Definitely there are some busy weeks to come."
There certainly are.
"There isn't a defined plan yet," confirmed Alonso. "At the moment l will be in Alabama next weekend, just visiting the race and meeting team members. On Monday after the race l will do the seat fitting and then l will fly to Russia for the [F1] race.
"After Russia l will try to be in Indianapolis for a couple of simulator days and hopefully test the car but it's not 100% sure.
"And after that l will go to the Spanish GP and on the Sunday after the race l will fly to America because free practice is at midday on Monday."
A manic month: Alonso's upcoming schedule
April 14-16: Bahrain Grand Prix
April 23: Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama - spectator
April 24: McLaren-Honda-Andretti seat fitting
April 28-30: Russian GP
Early May: Simulator/Indycar testing
May 12-14: Spanish GP
May 15-19: Indy 500 practice
May 20: Indy 500 practice and qualifying
May 28: Indy 500 race
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