Alonso completes first Indy test

Editor

Fernando Alonso completed his first IndyCar test on Wednesday ahead of his Indianapolis 500 debut, with a fastest unofficial time of 358kph.

The double World Champion was handed an extra day of testing ahead of the 101st edition of the prestigious race because of his rookie status and lack of oval experience.

Alonso took to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday after McLaren unveiled their Honda-powered Andretti Autosport-backed IndyCar.

The 35-year-old completed 110 laps of the Speedway with a fastest unofficial lap of 358.166kph (222.548mph).

His efforts were praised by Michael Andretti, team owner of Andretti Autosport, who said: “That was great.

“He did perfect, everything he was supposed to do and now we can go play a little bit.

“He gets it; he’s one of the best in the world and you can see why.

“He watched what he was doing with his line, he was changing it up lap after lap to get a feel.

“He had a little bit of understeer and he adjusted his line for the understeer, so, you know… he’s the real deal.

“He was experimenting. One time I thought he was a little low but then the next lap he got it back up there a little bit, so it was good.”

This season Alonso has opted to skip Formula 1’s Monaco GP to rather focus on a possible Triple Crown; Monaco F1 grand prix, the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Alonso will return to America on May 15th for the first day of Indy 500 practice.