Suspension problem truncated Fernando Alonso's Indy 500 session

Alonso had hoped to start to build experience running in traffic in the final hour of practice by lapping in a pack with the other five Andretti drivers.

But a rear suspension problem meant he was unable to go out, and it played a part in restricting him to only 20 laps in the main practice session after completing 35 during the rookie/refresher running.

"We had some issues with the rear suspension and we could not complete the programme that was planned to run a little bit in traffic at the end of the day," said Alonso.

"But overall, it was an amazing day, happier than the first day with the car because I was able to feel some of the set-up changes that we were planning in the morning.

"Traffic is still the thing that I need to go through in the next couple of days, so that is something that I need to chase a bit more in the programme.

"But I did two or three laps behind some cars when they were going out of the pitlane and it was good fun, so I'm looking forward to it."

Alonso ended the day 19th overall with a best lap of 223.025mph, having earlier topped the two-hour rookie and refresher session.

He said qualifying was "not very important" to him and ensuring race pace was his priority.

"In my case, qualifying is not very important," said Alonso.

"When you are out there, you want to feel fast so it's a question of enjoyment, not only the final position.

"But I think the priority for us in my garage is to set up the car for the race, to feel comfortable in traffic, to learn as much as I can, the way to overtake, the place to overtake, how you lose the minimum momentum in those manoeuvres.

"There are many things that I don't know now and I need to learn quickly, so let's see what we can do in qualifying. But definitely, the race preparation will be the first priority."

Alonso had said after his first IndyCar test at Indianapolis earlier this month that he felt the car was "driving itself".

But he had a better feeling in the car on the first day of practice.

"Yeah, a little bit more," he said when asked if he felt more like he was driving it.

"Definitely a much better day, a much better feeling. I was able to start driving the car today.

"There's still a long way for me to work, to learn, but definitely I feel [I made] some good steps today."