Fernando Alonso retires from Indy 500 as Honda engine fails
Takuma Sato takes victory for Andretti Autosport; Helio Castroneves second; British drivers Ed Jones and Max Chilton third and fourth
By William Esler
Last Updated: 29/05/17 7:51am
Fernando Alonso's Indy 500 dreams ended in smoke after his Honda engine failed with just 21 laps to go.
Victory went to ex-F1 driver Takuma Sato, one of Alonso's team-mates, and he becomes the first Japanese driver to win the race.
Alonso was constantly involved in the fight for the lead during the opening exchanges on Sunday and headed the field when the red flag was thrown following a horror crash between Scott Dixon and Jay Howard.
REPLAY: @scottdixon9 checked, cleared, and released after this turn 1 incident during the #Indy500 at @IMS. #INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/gaD950M27F
— IndyCar Series (@IndyCar) May 28, 2017
Both drivers were cleared by the medical centre, but Dixon did later return for a protective boot.
When Alonso finished the race, he had the fastest average lap time of any driver underlining the pace he had shown.
REPLAY: @alo_oficial has smoke coming from the 29 car #Indy500 #INDYCAR https://t.co/1I2Xejdij6 pic.twitter.com/mIuA4rMG38
— IndyCar Series (@IndyCar) May 28, 2017
"I felt the noise, the engine friction and I backed off and saw the smoke. I think we deserved to at least finish the race. Who knows what position we could have been?" Alonso told American broadcaster ESPN.
"The whole day has been a very nice experience - the racing was fun, we were leading the race for a couple of laps... it was a nice surprise to come here and be able to be competitive."
Despite the disappointment, Alonso took time after the race to thank the media and even got a taste of milk, usually reserved for the race winner.
Although @alo_oficial finished the #Indy500 P24, he couldn't resist drinking milk as he finished his final news conference #winnersdrinkmilk pic.twitter.com/caMFVnIBSG
— IndyCar Series (@IndyCar) May 28, 2017
With Alonso out, focus switched to Max Chilton, who had run an offset strategy and found himself in the lead of the race having started in 15th.
But with just seven laps to go, the Briton lost the lead, eventually finishing in fourth spot.
WATCH: After finishing the #Indy500 P4, @maxchilton talked with @verizon pit reporter @ktmosborne #INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/vs0HMAVx0J
— IndyCar Series (@IndyCar) May 28, 2017
"I knew I was strong out in front, we knew that all week, but I struggled in dirty air and starting 15th, I was over a lap behind after the first stint," said Chilton.
"I had the car to do the job, the issue was the cars in second and third could tow each other up to me and get past. If they didn't have a car to work with, I think I would have stayed out in front like I did for most of the race because no-one seemed to be able to draft up to me."
Ahead of Chilton and taking top rookie honours was Dubai-born British driver Ed Jones, who finished third.
New leader lap 195 @TakumaSatoRacer #Indy500 #INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/bbOSxJAC60
— IndyCar Series (@IndyCar) May 28, 2017
The battle between Sato and Team Penske's Helio Castroneves went right to the wire, with the pair exchanging places on a lap-by-lap basis as the race neared its conclusion, but it was ultimately Sato who made the decisive move to hold on for the win.
2017 Indy 500 result
| Position | Driver | Team | Engine | Gap (secs) |
| 1. | Takuma Sato | Andretti Autosport | Honda | 200 laps |
| 2. | Helio Castroneves | Team Penske | Chevrolet | +0.2011 |
| 3. | Ed Jones | Dale Coyne Racing | Honda | +0.5278 |
| 4. | Max Chilton | Chip Ganassi Racing | Honda | +1.1365 |
| 5. | Tony Kanaan | Chip Ganassi Racing | Honda | +1.6472 |
| 6. | Juan Pablo Montoya | Team Penske | Chevrolet | +1.7154 |
| 7. | Alexander Rossi | Andretti Autosport | Honda | +2.4222 |
| 8. | Marco Andretti | Andretti Autosport | Honda | +2.5410 |
| 9. | Gabby Chaves | Harding Racing | Chevrolet | +3.8311 |
| 10. | Carlos Munoz | A. J. Foyt Enterprises | Chevrolet | +4.5319 |
