Fernando Alonso says reaching the 'Fast 9' qualifying shootout for the Indy 500 was an "unthinkable" achievement when he arrived in the U.S. at the start of the month.
The McLaren-Honda Andretti driver set a four-lap average of 230.034mph to conclude the first day of qualifying seventh and progress to Sunday's fight to claim pole position for the historic oval race on May 28. As a result, Alonso has become the first rookie driver since Carlos Munoz in 2013 to secure a spot in the top nine on 'Pole Day'.
When asked how he would have reacted if he was told that he would make the 'Fast 9' group after his first test day, Alonso replied: "Bye bye!