Alonso completes maiden IndyCar road course test

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Future F1 retiree Fernando Alonso took another step towards his possible migration to the US next season, testing an Andretti Autosport Indy car on Wednesday at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama.

The two-time F1 world champion and 2017 Indy 500 rookie of the year drove the Andretti Honda DW12 without a glitch, hailing the test as "fun" and "special".

"Yeah, it was a good day, a fun day," said the Spaniard.

"I love to test new cars and to test the IndyCar on a road course is something 'special'.

"I’ve been lucky enough to test it in wet conditions, in intermediate conditions and in dry conditions, so overall I had a good feeling on every type of track.

"The weather was good for us today, a little bit of wind in the afternoon but overall a positive day."

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The 37-year-old, who led 27 laps of the Indy 500 last year before being sidelined by an engine failure, was asked which type of track he preferred, a super speedway or a road course, having now experienced both.

"Probably my instinct will tell me road course because it’s what I’ve been used to doing all my life, but the Indy 500 was an amazing experience, so 50/50.

"I think I love the way the car feels on a road course, but I love the way you compete on ovals, timing the tows, traffic and all the overtaking maneuvers I think are a little bit easy on the ovals, so in terms of track action, I loved the Indy 500."

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Alonso, who is also competing this year in the WEC's super-season with Toyota, has yet to finalise his eventual IndyCar plans for 2019. The Barber test didn't lead to any hints about his eventual future in the series.

"It was something that I was looking for last year already," he said;

"I had some options to test the car on a road course after the Indy 500. We didn’t find the time, but this year it’s definitely happened now and I’m happy for this.

"I love being behind a steering wheel, and definitely a new car, a new experience, learning a lot of things from the team, the engineers, everyone, so a happy day."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.