Fernando Alonso completed his first IndyCar test on Wednesday and passed the rookie orientation programme with no problems, however the Spaniard says he struggled to go flat-out during the opening laps as no matter what he brain told his right foot to do, it had its own mind.
Alonso, who will miss the Monaco Grand Prix in favour of racing in the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500 with a single-car entry from McLaren, run by Andretti Autosport, spent the afternoon getting to grips with the 2.5-mile oval – his first such experience.
"At the beginning, to be honest, [my] right foot was having its own brain, its own power!” Alonso said after the test. "It was not connected with my brain. So I wanted to be flat out but the right foot had its own life!
"Right now I’m more in control with my body and in control with the car so I’m able to be flat-out."
The McLaren driver managed a best average speed of 222.548mph on his 73rd lap, but admitted the conditions weren't ideal and he is confident he will be quicker now he has some experience under his belt.
"It’s a little bit gusty, and the wind picked up in the last couple of runs, but it’s good information to have some difficulties out there. But everything went fine so far," he added.
"I was getting up to speed, but the circuit looks so narrow when you are at that speed. When you watch on television or you are on the simulator, everything seems bigger and easier but when you are in the real car, it is very, very narrow.
"So I was trying different lines but really not as comfortable as I will be probably in a couple of weeks’ time."
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