With the first week of the 101-st running of the Indy 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) over, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on Fernando Alonso during practice and qualifying for this famous motorsport race event. Hope you like the photos.

Alonso is a two-time Formula One World Champion, and is one of the best open-cockpit drivers in the world. When I first heard that Alonso would be competing in the Indy 500, I was initially stunned, then thought wow, this could be something special. But was also wondering, how would Alonso adapt to oval racing? Over the course of the first week of the Indy 500 it was great to witness Alonso getting up to speed on the oval, learning the racing lines, experiencing what its like to be in a group of Indy Cars, and of course seeing what can happen if things don’t go right. Alonso made it to the Fast 9, and qualified 5th on the grid with an average speed of 231.300 mph. The “rookie” IndyCar driver showed that he is fast on the oval and the #29 McLaren-Honda-Andretti Honda has a shot to win this famous sporting event. In retrospect, who would have thought over wise, since a champion driver is a champion driver, no matter what type of race car they are driving. Below is a collection of photos documenting Alonso during the first week of the Indy 500.

May 15 – Practice

 

Morning practice from the outside of Turn 1.

Afternoon practice from the outside of Turn 1.

May 16 – Practice

 

 

Was good to watch Alonso running alone or with a group of cars during afternoon practice from the inside of Turn 3.

In the pits with Alonso after the end of afternoon practice.

May 17- Practice

 

 

 

 

 

May 18 – Practice

At the outside of Turn 2 during afternoon practice.

May 20 – Qualifications Day

Team photo after Alonso’s qualification laps.

Alonso was very happy to have made the Fast 9.

May 21 – Armed Forces Pole Day

Alonso leaves pit lane for the his Fast 9 qualification laps.

Outside view of Alonso turning into Turn 1.

May 22 – Practice

View from the top of the Pagoda of Alonso speeding down the front straight.

Across The Yard of Bricks.