A look at Fernando Alonso's hectic four-week schedule

Fernando Alonso will be racking up the frequent flyer miles in the next month as he gears up for his participation in the Indy 500 at the end of May.

The McLaren driver's road to Indy is an ambitious adventure which, beyond the difficulties of tackling one of motorsport's most difficult events, entails a hectic four-week schedule of traveling back and forth between Europe and the US.

Alonso's preparation will be fast-tracked as much as possible although a crash-course in oval racing isn't perhaps the best way to set up for Indy's perils and threats.

April 19: Bahrain ==> Alabama

"After Bahrain I will be in Alabama just visiting the race and meeting the team members to see how things go there," Alonso said.

April 23: Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama

"Probably on Monday after the race I will do the seat fitting, and then I will fly to Russia.

April 30: Russian Grand Prix at Sochi

May 1: Sochi ==> Indianapolis

"After Russia, I will try to be in Indianapolis for a couple of simulator days, hopefully test the car but it's not 100 per cent sure.

May 8: Indianapolis ==> Barcelona

May 14: Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona

"After the Spanish Grand Prix, I will fly to America on Sunday after the race."

May 15 ==> May 28: Indianapolis

Based on his schedule, Alonso will undertake five trips across the Atlantic in a little under four weeks. That's basically about 50 hours of flight-time which he will put to good use.

"On the planes, I will try and look at some videos and races from past years and try to learn as quick as I can.

"It's completely different skills that you need there, to adapt to the car and circuit, strategies, ways of racing that close and at that speed. Many things I have to learn and I am not ready at the moment."

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