I know this post is not Formula One related, but I regard Fernando Alonso as one of the best F1 Drivers in History, so I feel the need to bring all my followers up to speed with his Indy 500 Debut on Sunday 28th May.
More than a few questioned Fernando Alonso’s decision to skip the Monaco Grand Prix for the Indianapolis 500 when the double Formula One champion announced plans to try for the second leg of motor sport’s triple crown last month. But when that day finally came on Sunday, it was clear that he had made the right choice – even after finishing 24th in a race won by Japan’s Takuma Sato. “If we put aside the last 20 laps, which were a massive disappointment,” said McLaren-Honda team boss Zak Brown, “if we reflect back on the past month, it was outstanding. Fernando didn’t put a wheel wrong. [He] showed what a world class world champion he is today.”
Really, Alonso’s decision was validated well before the green flag flew at the Brickyard, in the day’s Monaco results— another scoreless disappointment for McLaren-Honda. Not even the return of Jenson Button, who was coaxed out of retirement to substitute in for Alonso, could spare the team a familiar fate. “I didn’t miss Monaco,” Alonso told reporters after his drive on Sunday.
There was no reason to. Early on, Alonso’s Andretti Autosport car seemed to provide the escape from his Formula One woes that he had hoped. After starting on the second row, in fifth, and dropping to ninth in a fuel mapping miscommunication, Alonso charged past 2016 race winner Alexander Rossi for the lead. He passed cars at will, from any line on the track he chose, and executed with precision in the pits. Overall he led 27 laps, the third most of any driver on Sunday afternoon. “It was nice to have this competitive feeling, even leading the Indy 500, you know,” Alonso said. “I was passing, watching the tower, saw the 29 [his car’s number] on top of it. I was thinking at that moment if Zak or someone from the team was taking a picture because I want that picture at home.”
Alonso also caught his share of luck on an afternoon that saw almost a third of the pack crash out of contention. By far the most frightening incident happened on lap 53, when British driver Jay Howard bounced off the turn two barrier and down into the nosecone of pole sitter Scott Dixon.
More than a few questioned Fernando Alonso’s decision to skip the Monaco Grand Prix for the Indianapolis 500 when the double Formula One champion announced plans to try for the second leg of motor sport’s triple crown last month. But when that day finally came on Sunday, it was clear that he had made the right choice – even after finishing 24th in a race won by Japan’s Takuma Sato. “If we put aside the last 20 laps, which were a massive disappointment,” said McLaren-Honda team boss Zak Brown, “if we reflect back on the past month, it was outstanding. Fernando didn’t put a wheel wrong. [He] showed what a world class world champion he is today.”
Really, Alonso’s decision was validated well before the green flag flew at the Brickyard, in the day’s Monaco results— another scoreless disappointment for McLaren-Honda. Not even the return of Jenson Button, who was coaxed out of retirement to substitute in for Alonso, could spare the team a familiar fate. “I didn’t miss Monaco,” Alonso told reporters after his drive on Sunday.
There was no reason to. Early on, Alonso’s Andretti Autosport car seemed to provide the escape from his Formula One woes that he had hoped. After starting on the second row, in fifth, and dropping to ninth in a fuel mapping miscommunication, Alonso charged past 2016 race winner Alexander Rossi for the lead. He passed cars at will, from any line on the track he chose, and executed with precision in the pits. Overall he led 27 laps, the third most of any driver on Sunday afternoon. “It was nice to have this competitive feeling, even leading the Indy 500, you know,” Alonso said. “I was passing, watching the tower, saw the 29 [his car’s number] on top of it. I was thinking at that moment if Zak or someone from the team was taking a picture because I want that picture at home.”
Alonso also caught his share of luck on an afternoon that saw almost a third of the pack crash out of contention. By far the most frightening incident happened on lap 53, when British driver Jay Howard bounced off the turn two barrier and down into the nosecone of pole sitter Scott Dixon.
I'm sure Fernando would like to return to next year's Indy 500.
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