Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe
Autosport Plus

Alonso's vital Indy 500 weapon

Fernando Alonso has never pretended that he can walk straight into Indianapolis and master oval racing. But having a past Indy 500 winner as "an extra set of eyes and another set of brains" can only help

Teaching Fernando Alonso, one of the best racers in the world - arguably the best - how to drive is a waste of time. His driver coach, 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner and two-time CART champion Gil de Ferran, agrees. So you have to ask why exactly Honda has bothered to give the Brazilian the assignment.

The key to understanding why is grasping the fact that there is a big difference between an instructor and a coach. That explains why de Ferran might just be Alonso's key Indy 500 weapon, given that motorsport is a world where all too often the benefits of coaching are overlooked or even derided.

Previous article Fernando Alonso to switch focus to Indy 500 qualifying
Next article Long-time Indycar racer Jim McElreath dies

More from Edd Straw

Archive: When the French GP almost produced F1's greatest shock

Archive: When the French GP almost produced F1's greatest shock

F1 Formula 1
Archive: When the French GP almost produced F1's greatest shock Archive: When the French GP almost produced F1's greatest shock
Autosport 70: How Scheckter instigated Silverstone's most famous F1 incident

Autosport 70: How Scheckter instigated Silverstone's most famous F1 incident

F1 Formula 1
Autosport 70: How Scheckter instigated Silverstone's most famous F1 incident Autosport 70: How Scheckter instigated Silverstone's most famous F1 incident
Autosport 70: The lost F1 team that launched Newey

Autosport 70: The lost F1 team that launched Newey

F1 Formula 1
Autosport 70: The lost F1 team that launched Newey Autosport 70: The lost F1 team that launched Newey
Why Haas's shocking 2019 should have F1 worried

Why Haas's shocking 2019 should have F1 worried

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
Why Haas's shocking 2019 should have F1 worried Why Haas's shocking 2019 should have F1 worried
How Kubica found the answer to his own incredible F1 challenge

How Kubica found the answer to his own incredible F1 challenge

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
How Kubica found the answer to his own incredible F1 challenge How Kubica found the answer to his own incredible F1 challenge
The real step that ended McLaren's F1 nightmare

The real step that ended McLaren's F1 nightmare

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
The real step that ended McLaren's F1 nightmare The real step that ended McLaren's F1 nightmare
2019's Albon, Norris and Russell are 2001's Montoya, Raikkonen and Alonso

2019's Albon, Norris and Russell are 2001's Montoya, Raikkonen and Alonso

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
2019's Albon, Norris and Russell are 2001's Montoya, Raikkonen and Alonso 2019's Albon, Norris and Russell are 2001's Montoya, Raikkonen and Alonso
How Toro Rosso gave Renault a major scare

How Toro Rosso gave Renault a major scare

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
How Toro Rosso gave Renault a major scare How Toro Rosso gave Renault a major scare

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe