Indy officials and Andretti Autosport have set a date for Fernando Alonso's first test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway next month.
The Spanish driver will initiate his Indy 500 programme at the Brickyard earlier than expected, on May 3, just three days after the Russian Grand Prix at Sochi.
Official practice and rookie orientation at Indy gets underway on May 15 but the opportunity has arisen to test earlier in the month.
Alonso's entry into the race is an effort between McLaren and Andretti Autosport, who won last year's race with rookie and former Manor F1 driver Alexander Rossi.
The 35-year-old two time world champion is currently in Alabama to watch this weekend's Barber Indycar event.
He will likely spend time at Andretti Autosport's and Honda Performance Development bases on his run-up to his first test at the Speedway.
Fans will be able to watch Alonso's test for free from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. from the Turn 2 viewing mounds, the South Terrace grandstand or the IMS Museum parking lot.
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