Fernando Alonso says he is “starting from zero” with his preparations for this year’s Indianapolis 500, as he chases the completion of motorsport’s triple crown.
Alonso got his first taste of the new speedway universal aerokit at Texas Motor Speedway on Tuesday as he linked up with McLaren’s newly-formed IndyCar team for the first time.
The Spaniard shook down the new IR18 chassis, which was built at McLaren's UK base in Woking, and began reacclimatising himself with running on oval configuration circuit.
McLaren has set-up a technical relationship with Carlin – based in nearby Farnham and which has raced in IndyCar since 2018 – having linked with Andretti Autosport for Alonso’s 2017 effort.
Alonso says the 2017 experience, in which he spent several stints of the race in the lead, has provided a base knowledge but stressed he is treating this year’s effort as if he is starting from scratch.
“I feel quite a lot more prepared,” said Alonso. "At least I know the race, the atmosphere of the 500, the drivers’ parade, I know the formation laps.
“I know a lot of things that you spend energy on your first time there because everything comes as a surprise. I think that energy I can save it now.
"I know how it goes so I can go into the rhythm of the race, come into qualifying with a little bit more energy and more concentration, but I take this race as if I was starting from zero.
"I don’t want to take for granted, anything. I want to review every single race from the past, start from zero with engineers and everything.
“I want to go to the simulator as I did when making the first start, every pit stop. I want to make much preparation as possible."
Indianapolis will hold the first pre-500 test on April 24 and Alonso explained that Tuesday’s test run at Texas was about acclimatisation both with the car and the newly-formed team.
“It was great, obviously, it’s only the first couple of laps with the car," said Alonso. "We are taking care of everything slowly with the speed. It’s good to be back on the oval with a very specific setup.
"This car that turns left ‘self-steering’ a little bit. So, again, some weird feeling for me to try to get used to with the speedway, especially with a lot of banking on the corner, especially Turns 3 and 4. It’s different than Indianapolis, but hopefully a good preparation for us."
“For myself, obviously, it’s just about getting comfortable in the car. It’s a new car, new team so in terms of seat position, headrest, pedals, steering wheel preferences I think all these things we can start now the work.
"For the team, I think it is quite important to set up everything as a team, who does what in the team, also the pit wall, the facility is completely new for everyone, try to solve as many problems here and at the open test on the 24th and getting ready for the 500."
