Indianapolis 500 rookie Fernando Alonso, the two-time Formula 1 champion seeking to make his debut on the 2.5-mile oval, was the only McLaren Andretti Autosport driver of the six entered to turn a lap at speed.
The 35-year-old Spaniard completed 39 laps with a best speed of 219.533 mph that ranked fourth on the day’s speed chart.
“It was tricky,” Alonso said of the windy conditions. “Very little running for the big guys, but for me any condition is a good lesson. Today was about that, a lesson about how to drive with strong winds and how to set up the car corner to corner.
“Everything was according to plan. The team, I think, used those runs also to test something on the back (end), the engine, for tuning, and something like that, so I think it was a productive day as well,” added Alonso.