Fernando Alonso will get Indy 500 shock when he trades Formula One position at Monaco Grand Prix for US stint
FERNANDO ALONSO is in for a rude awakening when he competes in the Indy 500 according to three-time winner Dario Franchitti.
The Spaniard will skip the Monaco F1 GP in favour of racing in the States on the famous oval track with cars travelling at over 230mph running bumper to bumper.
Fernando Alonso has been warned he won’t find things easy at the Indy 500AP:Associated Press
Alonso, who was lucky to escape a terrifying smash at the 2016 Australian GP and also suffered a mysterious blackout behind the wheel in Barcelona in February 2015, will need to get up to speed quickly on series.
And, despite being a two-time F1 world champion, Scottish racer Franchitti says Alonso could struggle.
He said: “The margin for error is tiny but for someone like Fernando, who is a natural talent, it will heighten his senses once he gets out there.
“It’ll be difficult, no one’s under any misapprehension here. Talent-wise, can he do it? Absolutely. But again, inexperience – that will be the tough thing.
“If it comes down to a caution with 20, 25 laps to go, and everyone pits for new tyres, that’s when all bets are off.
The Spaniard is skipping the F1 Monaco Grand Prix to race in AmericaAP:Associated Press
"At the start of the race, people are a little nicer to each other, and if you've got half a pass made, they'll let you through.
"As business picks up toward the end, that goes away in a hurry. So I think that will come as a shock."
Meanwhile, McLaren's Executive Director, Zak Brown, also admits Alonso is taking a risk, but is confident his prized asset is making the right decision.
He added: "Motor-racing is a dangerous sport and Fernando has been injured twice in our Formula One car, but the Indianapolis speedway has been a safe place for a few decades now.
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Alonso is confident of victory in his one-off raceAP:Associated Press
"Fernando is extremely well prepared. The car is exceptional and he has done and extreme amount of testing.
"I think any time a race driver gets in a race car, there is always an element of risk, so what you have to do is prepare as well as possible and I don't think there is any more or less risk in any forms of motorsport.
"If you don't want to take any risks then you probably should not be in motorsport, so we are very comfortable with our decision."
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