2017 Indianapolis 500

[Supersam83]

So the month long buildup to the Indy500 starts today with Fernando Alonso having a private test and his 1st ever drive in a Indycar around Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

You can watch the testing live from 2.30pm here on youtube: Fernando Alonso Live Testing

How do we think he will get on?

Straight on the pace or slow build up?

[Supersam83]

FurtiveFreddy said:

If you know anything about driving ovals, you will know it's nowhere near as straightforward as it looks.

If he's sensible, he'll listen to the team and his advisers and go with the programme. With that in mind, this first test might appear to some to look like he's not really trying, but there's a lot to learn in a very short time.

It will certainly be very interesting to see how he progresses and where he ends up in the race.

His fastest lap was 222.548mph and last years pole position time was 230.760mph so needs to find a bit more balls to push his foot down a little bit harder.

Still not bad for a rookie and he completed his "rookie orientation exam" in just 50 laps.

[Supersam83]

So heres the official starting grid.

Alonso did well to be 5th but could have been P2 if engine ran smoothly. Top rookie in the field and not bad with less then a months practice in a Indycar.