Alonso "couldn't be in better situation" for Indy debut

The two-time F1 world champion will make his debut at the wheel of the Andretti Autosport car as he attempts to complete Rookie Orientation Practice ahead of this month's Indy 500.

Andretti, who will be part of the commentary team for the live broadcast of the test, believes that his son Michael's outfit will help Alonso to settle in.

"He'll have some fun, he'll be fine," the 1978 world champion told Motorsport.com. "At the end of the day it couldn't be a better situation. Marco is going to shake the car down, and it's going to have enough downforce that even I could get in and be on it on the second lap!

"It's going to be very easy just to be acclimated to the line and the speed itself. A guy like him should be able to do quick laps. He'll be able to get a good day's work in, and he'll go away very pleased, I'm sure."

Andretti believes that the biggest challenge Alonso faces over the days of practice leading up to his 500 debut will be getting used to traffic.

"The single biggest difference will be being around the other cars, estimating what the closing rates are and so on, and learning how the other guys behave. The driving is quite good now in IndyCar, there's really a good crop of drivers.

"The luxury that he has is that Michael has six cars, and six cars can go out there and have their own race. That's what they did last year. They'll do a lot of slipstreaming back and forth, and overtaking, and really get a feel for things.

"He has nothing to lose in F1 at the moment, and there could be no better way to really try this and see what it feels like. I guarantee you that by the time the race comes along he will be quite well prepared."

Andretti believes that Alonso's Indy adventure can only be positive.

"Overall, I think it's the best possible scenario, in my opinion. The choice of bringing Jenson in for Monaco is brilliant. It's a win-win situation all round, at least going in. It's good for F1, it's good for the sport, and it's got that injection of interest in it, which we can all enjoy."

His only concern is that the Spaniard may be distracted by an overdose of friendly advice.

"I hope he doesn't get too many people in his hair! Quite honestly I wouldn't even want that, 'just leave me alone, let me try it.' He'll ask the right questions."

Motorsport.com will be streaming Alonso's test live today.