Alonso's Indy Performance | FerrariChat

Alonso's Indy Performance

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by David Lind, May 3, 2017.

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  1. David Lind

    David Lind Formula 3

    Nov 19, 2008
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    David Lind
    I watched Fernando at the Brickyard today. He looked completely under control (no surprise) as he worked through the various phases of his rookie test ... nothing spectacular, which is probably what his team wants at this stage. Fernando never came very close to the wall and never ran without at least a small Gurney Flap, so it's obvious he wasn't after a 230 mph lap.
    So far, so good.
     
  2. Jana

    Jana F1 Veteran

    Mar 4, 2015
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    Thanks for the report! I'm looking forward to seeing how he does.
     
  3. tomc

    tomc Two Time F1 World Champ

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    +1
    T
     
  4. BartonWorkman

    BartonWorkman F1 Veteran
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    It seems as though every racing website has multiple stories running about Alonso's
    Indy test debut yesterday.

    According to everyone, he hit all the marks. Mikey in particular seems very happy
    (for once) and called Alonso's day "Perfect".

    Everyone is singing Alonso's praises so far. Hope it continues. But, as we all know,
    Indy can come up and bite you in the ass when it's least expected.

    BHW
     
  5. tervuren

    tervuren Formula 3

    Apr 30, 2006
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    Its a lot of good publicity for Indy.

    Shame the cars are so dang ugly.

    At least the mono color of the Mclaren isn't as bad as some of the other cars on the grid.
     
  6. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Jun 30, 2007
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    He did well, but then he's spent his whole life in open wheel cars, and was on track by himself (no drafting, turbulence, etc), so that was expected.

    Kurt Busch, with virtually no open wheel experience, qualified 12th and finished 6th with Andretti in 2014. IMO that's the target for Alonso.

    I will say this has been a wildly successful publicity stunt. apparently ticket sales are on track to exceed 300k again this year, I hope Alonso is getting a cut ;)
     
  7. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    I might actually watch, just to see him race....
     
  8. Kravchak

    Kravchak Formula Junior

    Oct 17, 2005
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    Me too
     
  9. william

    william Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jun 3, 2006
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    Yep, driving alone at Indy is fine, but racing in traffic with plenty of cars around may be a bit spooky for him. Time will tell ...
     
  10. stever

    stever F1 Rookie
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    Absolutely, and he said the track was narrower than he thought.

    He couldn't have handled himself/the car much better, however. It was pretty much a perfect outing.
     
  11. NürScud

    NürScud F1 Veteran

    Nov 3, 2012
    7,273
    Saw a couple of videos on YouTube. He did well. Does anyone have to suggest a site/link for the race's live stream. It would be appreciated.

    :)
     
  12. Whisky

    Whisky Two Time F1 World Champ
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    The original Fernando
    I wonder what Indy/IRL is paying him to compete?

    If he brings in more viewers, ad rates will be up for next year..
     
  13. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    It's real narrow at race speeds!

    As in "one line thru" once race rubber is down......he will elarn.
     
  14. BMW.SauberF1Team

    BMW.SauberF1Team F1 World Champ

    Dec 4, 2004
    14,244
    This single race deal alone I'm sure is bringing in money for all involved that is multiple folds over what FA makes salary-wise. Financially this is a lot better than him racing in Monaco for being 15th place.
     
  15. furmano

    furmano Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Cool! Go Fernando!!!

    -F
     
  16. tifoso2728

    tifoso2728 F1 Veteran
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    I hoped he's well coached by Gil DeFerran. To me, the best thing he can do for the first 400 miles IS concentrate on staying on the lead lap and staying out of trouble. We all know there will be multiple yellows. When it gets down to the last 40 laps, GO LIKE HELL!
     
  17. Absolutely. Pretty standard procedure; 'specially if running competitively. Might be better off talkin' to Rick (Mears) tho'....;) :)
     
  18. Whisky

    Whisky Two Time F1 World Champ
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    The original Fernando
    As much as Mears is my second favorite Indy driver of all time (Mark Donohue is 1st),
    Rick was in a different era totally, GdF might know these cars a bit better than
    Rick would. Even though GdF has been out of it for awhile, he'd still be more
    familiar than Rick.

    As far as just cruising for 80% of the race and then going for it, that's
    standard procedure for all oval races, indy or stock cars.
     
  19. Whisky

    Whisky Two Time F1 World Champ
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    The original Fernando
    And he has 2 wins at Monaco so he doesn't need that.
     
  20. David Lind

    David Lind Formula 3

    Nov 19, 2008
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    With one hour to go in the first practice day, Alonso is already up to speed. Fernando is at mid- 223 mph and is already faster than Marco Andretti, RHR, Will Power, Juan Montoya, etc. So far, so good.
     
  21. David Lind

    David Lind Formula 3

    Nov 19, 2008
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    Alonso mired in second half of the field today. Is it possible this is harder than he thought, or is he pacing himself? I would think he is due to uncork a really fast lap or three.
     
  22. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    he's running in traffic now, so my guess is they have a ton of downforce in the car and he's taking his time getting used to traffic/tows/turbulence and will gradually peel off the downforce, and he'll get up to speed.
     
  23. ;)
     
  24. kizdan

    kizdan F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2003
    5,505
    I hope Alonso does as well as Mansell did in his very 1st oval race...,...
     
  25. the_stig

    the_stig F1 Rookie

    Sep 19, 2005
    3,477
    This. Not sure why people think that anyone can turn up and show a lot of speed - this is totally foreign to Fred.
     

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