F1 driver impresses as he qualifies for Indy 500 practice
Wednesday 9 August 2017 11:06, UK
Fernando Alonso has been described as the "real deal" in an IndyCar after he successfully completed his maiden test to clear him to compete in the Indianapolis 500 at the end of May.
Three days after a forgettable Russian GP when unreliability on the formation lap meant he was able to take the start, Alonso was in action 5,500 miles away on the famous oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the mandatory Rookie Orientation Programme.
Driving a Honda-powered Andretti IndyCar decked out in McLaren's revived orange colours, Alonso passed the various speed tests in around an hour of running to qualify for Indy 500 practice which begins on May 15 ahead of the May 28 race.
"It felt good," said Alonso. "The first couple of runs were very different from what I'm used to driving, just the oval and the actual car. But I probably got up to speed quite quickly and now feel a little bit better.
"It was very different. The speeds are so high and you need to trust the car a lot when you approach the corner. You're still flat out on the corner with the G-force, the compression, the banking so definitely a new experience.
"In the first couple of laps, I was a little bit confused about the feelings but later on I was able to enjoy it."
Existing Andretti Autosport driver Marco Andretti shook the car down around the 2.5-mile oval before Alonso took over .
And Michael Andretti, the team's boss and former McLaren F1 driver, said he was impressed with the two-time world champion's debut performance.
"He gets it," said Andretti. "He's one of the best in the world and you can see why.
"He had a little bit of understeer in that run and he adjusted his line because of the understeer. He's the real deal. I think he's going to be really strong this month."
In order to drive in the Indy 500, Alonso had to successfully complete the rookie programme. The schedule required Alonso to complete 10 laps at 205-210mph, 15 laps at 210-215mph and 15 laps over 215mph.
After passing within 51 laps, he went on to rack up 110 laps by the end of the day and reached a top speed of 222.548mph. Last year's pole position speed was 230.946mph.
"He'll be fine," added Andretti. "He's a race car driver. He'll leave today pretty confident."
Alonso will return to Europe ahead of his home Spanish GP on May 14 before flying immediately back to Indianapolis after the race to begin practice the following day.
The 35-year-old is attempting to win the second leg of motorsport's historic 'Triple Crown' which consists of victories in the Monaco GP, Indy 500 and Le Mans 24 Hours. Alonso has twice won Monaco, in 2006 and 2007, but is skipping this year's F1 showpiece to tackle the Indianapolis oval. Jenson Button is returning to race in his place at McLaren.
Fernando Alonso's transatlantic schedule
May 12-14: Spanish Grand Prix
May 15-19: Indy 500 practice
May 20: Indy 500 practice and qualifying
May 28: Indy 500 race
Don't miss the Spanish GP exclusively live on Sky Sports F1 on May 14 - lights out for the race is at 1pm. Check out all the ways to watch F1 on Sky Sports for subscribers and non-subscribers - including a NOW TV day pass for £6.99!
