Simon Pagenaud: “Everything will be fine for Alonso”

The announcement of the commitment of Fernando Alonso to the next Indianapolis 500 with McLaren, Andretti and Honda, made a big splash. The double Spanish world champion will discover a new universe on the legendary American event, with in particular the driving aspect on ovals as the main challenge.

The presence of the McLaren driver seems to be unanimous among the championship drivers IndyCar. “It’s exciting, and a very good thing for IndyCar and for motorsport in general, comments Scott Dixon, resident of Chip Ganassi Racing.

We have a few pilots who have moved from Nascar at IndyCar or the other way around, but it's been quite a while since anyone from the F1, and especially this weekend with Indy 500 and the Monaco Grand Prix. We were a little surprised, but we're excited to have someone of the caliber ofAlonso with all his racing baggage. »

The former 500 mile winner also believes that the Spaniard should get used to it relatively easily in terms of pure driving. “When you come from another series, it’s important to ask all the questions you can. There are a lot of things to integrate to get into the rhythm.

But we know that Fernando Alonso is an accomplished driver, one of the best of all time. On the driving aspects, I'm sure everything will be fine. »

“This is fantastic news, adds simon pagenaud (Team Penske – Chevrolet). I can't wait to race against him, Fernando is one of the best drivers in history. The fact that McLaren is coming back is also great news for IndyCar. There will be a lot of attention. Everything will be fine for him. He will quickly get into the rhythm, and he will have good teammates at Andretti. »

The reigning champion of the discipline also recalls the main points that the McLaren driver will have to understand to try to show his advantage on the Indiana oval.

“It’s something very different, especially the sensations with the car on a road circuit. You have to get used to the speed, and we are constantly on the edge. We also have to manage the traffic, because we drive very close together in IndyCar. Managing your position on the track, the race in its first laps to reach the end, it's a bit of a game of chess. »

Consistent driving

Author of pole position last year for the Indy 500, James Hinchcliffe, SPM – Honda driver, also believes that the program for the legendary event across the Atlantic should help Fernando Alonso to familiarize himself with the specificities of super-racing. speedways

“The oval challenge is one of the most difficult. But, at some point, every driver had to start on an oval, comments the Canadian. Fernando is one of the most talented drivers in the world today. I'm very excited to see him behind the wheel, to know how he feels on the ovals, and what he thinks of IndyCar in general.

It won't be easy, but it's one of the best races to do it: he'll have all week of testing, testing before the rookie program. »