Top Stories of 2017, #1: Mr Alonso Goes to Indianapolis

At the time, the news seemed scarcely believable. Two-time Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso, who many experts regard as the most ‘complete’ driver on the planet, was going to have a crack at the Indianapolis 500.

Not only that, he was going to be in one of the best teams for tackling Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Andretti Autosport. Oh, and he came with the blessing and backing of McLaren and Honda, despite it meaning he was to skip the most prestigious F1 race, the Monaco Grand Prix.

From the moment it was announced on April 12, the IndyCar community went giddy with excitement. Barber Motorsports Park, just outside Birmingham, Alabama, played host to Alonso’s first trip to an IndyCar paddock, and he swiftly won the hearts and minds of the majority of media personnel in the press conference.

He said all the right things, answered all questions politely and with sincerity, and seemed happy at the prospect. Alongside him, Michael Andretti, McLaren CEO Zak Brown and IndyCar and Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles were scarcely less enthusiastic.

Eleven days later came the Rookie Orientation Program and test at IMS, and swiftly it became clear that the time Alonso had spent familiarizing himself with the cockpit of an IndyCar and in the Honda simulator had paid off.

Watched live on YouTube by over 2 million fans, the 35-year-old clicked off 110 laps, completed all phases of the ROP, killed two seagulls simultaneously and set a fastest speed above 222mph.

It would insult a champion to express surprise that the day went without a hitch, especially considering he had as a consultant the 2003 Indy 500 winner and two-time IRL champion Gil de Ferran, a racing intellectual. But in the past there have been plenty of European converts to oval racing who have never quite acclimatized to running constantly north of 220mph between walls.

When Alonso returned to the Speedway following the Spanish Grand Prix for the week-long practice for the 500, Alonso continued to impress, looking increasingly comfortable not only running solo but also dealing with the dirty air whenever he ran in formation with teammates Marco Andretti, Ryan Hunter-Reay, defending race-winner Alexander Rossi and Takuma Sato.

Meanwhile, off-track he continued to be the IndyCar media’s favorite F1 driver, being both charming and eloquent, despite almost running out of ways to describe his entirely drama-free performances. And despite being a magnet for fans in IndyCar’s typically freer paddock environment, Alonso dealt with all of them patiently and with a smile.

Come Fast Friday, when the teams get to run at 1.4-bar turbo boost for the first time in preparation for the weekend’s qualifying, Alonso impressed again, heading past the 230mph mark to go fifth fastest, and on Saturday, he comfortably made it through to Sunday’s Fast Nine shootout for pole.

There was a mild panic the next morning when Honda Performance Development engineers detected the unit in the orange #29 car was showing signs of going pop – as had several other Honda units over the previous eight days.

But a swift engine change by his crew meant he was able to participate in practice before his four-lap qualifying run which produced a four-lap average of 231.300mph earning him P5, third fastest of the six-car Andretti Autosport team.

In Monday practice Alonso appeared entirely comfortable in his race setup, jockeying around his rivals, figuring out just how late he could make a move on a car ahead approaching Turns 1 and 3, and there would be more of the same on Carb Day, in the one hour of running before the big race.

In between, he completed the obligatory media trip – Fernando’s was to New York City – and on the Saturday, he received a huge cheer in the traditional public driver pre-race briefing. Come the driver parade in downtown Indianapolis, he continued his charm offensive and looked as relaxed as any of his rivals.

Such had been his competence and ease at IMS, it seemed entirely possible that Alonso could win the race. Certainly, he had long since silenced those who’d questioned how well he would convert to the car and track, but could a rookie keep his car setup on point for changing track conditions?

Indianapolis weather can be notoriously fickle, and the 500 is a long race – particularly if there are multiple caution periods.

In the end, that wasn’t a worry, ambient temperatures staying resolutely in the 70-75 degrees F range. And yes, Fernando was in the mix at the front and would surely have contended for victory, had his car allowed.

After a slow start, he handled the restarts well, he led a total of 27 laps and looked a match for teammates Hunter-Reay, Rossi and eventual winner Sato. Unfortunately, however, he fell victim to a Honda blow-up while he was running in seventh on Lap 180.

Looking after his tires for a final charge to the checkered flag, there’s every chance Alonso could have joined in the ferocious scrap at the front between Sato and Helio Castroneves. Instead he had to be content with a standing ovation from the crowd and the Rookie of the Year title.

The humor, humility and enthusiasm Alonso displayed after the race, in the press room and at the banquet, suggested he was proud and happy with his personal performance and that he’d be very keen on returning one day.

Should he not do so, he can rest assured that he made his mark in the history of a legendary race and left us with another classic what-might-have-been story.

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