Indy 500 – An overboost problem for Alonso at Pole Day

By achieving the fifth beat during Pole Day of the Indianapolis 500, Fernando Alonso once again displayed his talent behind the wheel to beat drivers much more experienced than him on the American ovals.

The double world champion F1, who entered the Fast Nine the day before with a seventh time, nevertheless admits not having been able to drive a car in full possession of his means. « I think today the car was better than yesterday from a balance point of view after the problems in testing in the morning, describes Alonso.

Sadly, During the second lap we had an overboost problem on the last corner. It was like hitting the brakes and I lost one little speed in the main straight. But that's how it is, you can't change anything now.

I am happy to be qualified in this way. We could have easily fought for pole today if we hadn't had this problem. At the end of the day, as long as you get into the top nine, it doesn't really make a big difference to the race. »

Changed engine and teamwork

Fernando Alonso's day did not start in the best way yesterday, since a problem with the Honda V6 unit forced the Andretti Autosport mechanics to replace the engine between practice and qualifying.

« At one point during the morning we didn't know if we would be able to qualify because we had to change the entire engine, underlines Alonso. But the team was incredible. There were guys from the different Andretti cars working on the No. 29 just to make this possible. Thanks to all this teamwork, I was able to compete in the qualification. »