F1 Champion Alonso To Test May 3 at IMS

Fernando Alonso

Two-time Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso will begin on-track preparation for his Indianapolis 500 debut with a test session Wednesday, May 3 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The test will take place from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) on the 2.5-mile oval. This will be the first career laps on an oval for 2005 and 2006 World Champion Alonso, who drives in Formula One for McLaren Honda.

Alonso, 35, from Spain, is skipping the Monaco Grand Prix this year to compete in the 101st Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil on Sunday, May 28 at IMS. He will make his Verizon IndyCar Series debut in a Dallara-Honda car entered by McLaren and prepared by reigning race champions Andretti Autosport.

He is aiming to win the second leg of auto racing's triple crown of victories in the Indianapolis 500, Monaco Grand Prix and 24 Hours of Le Mans. Alonso triumphed in 2006 and 2007 at Monaco.