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Unsurprisingly Fernando Alonso came out on top of the timesheets in the Rookies and Refresher test at Indy, ahead of official practice beginning for the big race.
Completing a total of 36 laps, McLaren Honda F1 driver Alonso ended the day with an impressive 221.631mph lap to claim fastest time in the two hour session, beating experience IndyCar driver and fellow Spaniard Oriol Servia into second place as the Rahal Letterman driver could only manage a 220.759mph lap around the famous 2.5 mile oval.
Despite the test being aimed at ensuring drivers looking to participate in the upcoming Indy 500 on May 28th, the session isn't exclusively open to total series rookies. Drivers who are not part of the regular IndyCar schedule can use the test to reacclimatise to high speed oval racing, and as such a number of instantly recognisable IndyCar names made their way out on track today.
Oriol Servia of course needs no introduction to American fans, having been an on / off member of the IndyCar circus for a number of years now, and the Spanish star was joined on track by other big name US racing talents such as Ed Jones, making his full time IndyCar debut this year, who wound up in third position with a 219.288mph lap, beating British IndyCar veteran Jay Howard who ended the session in fourth position.
Alonso will spend the remainder of May over in the United States as he begins his serious preparations for his first assault on the world renowned Indy 500 event, missing the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix in the process.
With the Indy 500 having such a special place in American motorsports the whole month of May is dedicated to the big race, with several official practice sessions and qualification rounds due to take place over the next weeks in the build up to race day on Sunday 28th May.
If you're keen here's the 4hrs of Day 1 Practice.
And Practice Days 2 & 3 upcoming Livestreams.
Dukester
norbs diplomacy lesson 101: "If I was putting words in your mouth, you'd know."
Dickson is one lucky boy. So was the photographer & Castro-Neves driving under him was mental.
Alonso is proving why so many consider him the most gifted racing driver in the world today. He's been very impressive.
Dukester
norbs diplomacy lesson 101: "If I was putting words in your mouth, you'd know."
Yeah apart from a little stint where he was around 12th he was running top 5 for the first half or more of the race.
First time I've seen an indy race. It's basically just waiting for the last 10 laps really. Not an awful lot happens before that by the look of it. Not like 1 or 2 guys are 10s ahead.
Fantastic result.
Castro-Neves was probably just as stiff not to win it but Sato was just as deserving. Last time he had a chance to win it he binned it but this time he got it right.
Dukester
norbs diplomacy lesson 101: "If I was putting words in your mouth, you'd know."
Big Kev wrote:Yeah apart from a little stint where he was around 12th he was running top 5 for the first half or more of the race.
First time I've seen an indy race. It's basically just waiting for the last 10 laps really. Not an awful lot happens before that by the look of it. Not like 1 or 2 guys are 10s ahead.