Fernando Alonso to switch focus to Indy 500 qualifying
Fernando Alonso says he plans to concentrate on preparing for Indianapolis 500 qualifying on Friday after setting the fourth fastest time on day four of practice
The McLaren Honda Andretti driver completed 96 laps and set a best lap average of 225.619mph, compared to pacesetter Jay Howard's 226.744mph.
But after focusing on race setup and learning to master running in traffic so far in practice, Alonso intends to work more on running in clear air on Friday ahead of qualifying on Saturday and Sunday.
"The car felt quite OK from the very beginning in the morning, but we did improve it during the day, so I'm quite happy," said Alonso.
"We work still a lot on the race situation, getting out there with guys and running in traffic.
"Tomorrow we will concentrate on running alone and qualifying, but the priority is the race."
Alonso's driver coach, 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner Gil de Ferran, said today that his preparation would "ramp up big time" from Thursday.
During Friday practice, drivers will be able to run qualifying-levels of boost with an increase from 1.3 bar to 1.4 bar.
"Gil de Ferran, my coach, told me that the four laps in qualifying will be the most horrible laps you've ever done because the car is very on the limit," said Alonso.
"But I will have a first touch tomorrow on Fast Friday and then we will see on Saturday."
Alonso will draw on the experience of those around him to influence his approach to running in qualifying trim, even though his primary focus remains on the race.
"We are still concentrating on the race situation," said Alonso.
"Tomorrow, they will help me to understand what we need to be quick in qualifying, what is the key point of the qualifying laps."
Alonso added he is still having fun at Indianapolis four days into practice.
But he admits that as practice time is running out, with running happening only on Monday and Friday after qualifying is complete on Sunday, he still has a lot to learn.
"When you meet guys out there, you always learn from what they are doing, what different techniques they are doing," said the Spaniard.
"Every day is interesting and different by itself.
"Unfortunately, the free practice is ending slowly in the week.
"I still miss more laps, but we will try to make the most of it tomorrow with the more power that we have on Friday and try to learn from that.
"We will start from zero tomorrow."
Howard tops day four of Indy 500 practice as Newgarden crashes
Alonso's vital Indy 500 weapon
Tanak scores first Puma win in preparation for WRC Rally Sweden
Ott Tanak claimed his first victory driving an M-Sport Ford Puma after winning the Otepaa Winter Rally in preparation for next week’s World Rally Championship round in Sweden.
Ranking the worst Formula 1 cars to win a grand prix
Cars that rarely looked like contenders for victory have occasionally slipped through the net to become winners of world championship Formula 1 races. But which was the worst of the bunch?
Schumacher radio criticism highlighted F1 privacy change for Russell
George Russell says that the way an off-the-cuff radio remark criticising Mick Schumacher last year became a big deal shows how he is more under the spotlight in Formula 1.
Newgarden impressed by Chevrolet on IndyCar's new renewable fuel
Two-time IndyCar champion Josef Newgarden says he’s been impressed with the drivability of his Chevrolet engine following the switch to renewable fuel and has seen no loss in performance.
Nigel Mansell’s greatest F1 and Indycar drives
It’s 30 years since Mansell won the Formula 1 world title and then headed off to do battle in America. Here are his best races – and the Briton’s memories of them
How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled
Chip Ganassi Racing team was strong again in the Indianapolis 500, with poleman Scott Dixon and reigning champion Alex Palou leading almost three quarters of the race between them. But when dominator Dixon was penalised for pitlane speeding, ex-Formula 1 driver Marcus Ericsson stepped up to score the biggest win of his career and seize the IndyCar points lead
Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021
In an enthralling 2021 IndyCar campaign, the series bounced back from its COVID-19 truncated year prior and Alex Palou defeated both the established order and his fellow young guns to clinch a maiden title. It capped a remarkable season with plenty of standout performers
How F1's other IndyCar exile finally unlocked his potential
Romain Grosjean's swashbuckling rookie year in IndyCar captured the imagination of many in 2021. But another ex-Formula 1 driver whose potential was masked by five years of toil in, at best, middling machinery also enjoyed a breakout year in 2021 - winning twice and finishing sixth in points. Here's how Marcus Ericsson finally delivered on his promise
How Ganassi's relentless new champion outfoxed IndyCar's best
IndyCar sophomore Alex Palou stunned by overcoming team-mate Scott Dixon and the rest of a white-hot field in 2021. He was consistently fast and crucially showed a level head, rebounding well from setbacks to put himself in a near unassailable position entering the final round
Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?
Despite appearing to have an IndyCar job for life with Meyer Shank Racing, Jack Harvey’s departure and move to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing sparked plenty of debate. However, Harvey's and RLL's combined strengths could prove to be a winning combination - if they get the balance right
Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing IndyCar win
Saturday 16 October marks the 10th anniversary of Dan Wheldon’s death. David Malsher-Lopez pays tribute, then asks Wheldon’s race engineer from 2011, Todd Malloy, to recall that magical second victory at the Indianapolis 500
Why Kyle Kirkwood is America's new IndyCar ace-in-waiting
Kyle Kirkwood, the record-setting junior formula driver, sealed the Indy Lights championship last weekend. But despite an absurdly strong junior career and scholarship money, his next move is far from clear
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.