Jean Alesi dangerously slow for Lotus at the Indy 500

Former F1 driver Jean Alesi has announced he feels “unsafe” at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway driving his Lotus powered IndyCar. He is dangerously off the pace of the front runners after initial practice sessions.

You notice when a car passes you on the road 10kph faster than you are doing. Imagine what Jean Alesi feels like at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. His Lotus powered Fan Forced entry is topping out at 328kph. Sounds fast, but the front runners are doing an immense 358. Alesi has declared he feels unsafe driving with his competitors going so much faster.

“Right now, I feel very unsafe, being quite slow in the middle of the track,” Alesi said to Speed TV. “So I am quite concerned for my fellow drivers, if we are not able to get the speed that we need. I am flat out and I have reached 205 mph as the maximum that I can see. So it is not a comfortable position right now. ”

It’s nothing to do with Alesi’s talent. The 47-year-old is one of two Lotus powered entries (the other piloted by female racer Simona de Silvestro) and both are dangerously off the pace. There is 105 per cent rule which means all competitors have to be within that of the pole position time to compete, but IndyCar officials have indicated they may drop that, believing the Lotus cars will be fine once a draft is created and they can drive in the slipstream of the pack.

The other safety measure is that only 33 entries are allowed to compete, but this year only 34 have entered, with three of those being Lotus powered and one without a driver yet, so Alesi and de Silvestro will still make it in.

The famous Indy 500 race takes place on May 27.

Web: Indy 500
Via: Fox Sports
Image: IndyCar.com

Damian Francis

Damian Francis has previously edited Australian T3 and F1 Racing magazine and wrote for GQ Australia and Men's Health. Unlike Nick and Trev, he has no kids, no mortgage and no wife, but lives happily on Sydney's North Shore with his girlfriend.

Recent Posts

  • Tech

Review: OPPO Reno 11 F 5G, mid-range smartphone? Could have fooled me

The OPPO Reno 11 F is OPPO’s latest mid-range smartphone and once again it is…

2 days ago
  • Tech

Podcast: Optus and TPG get together for the bush, Qantas Woes & more tech news – Two Blokes Talking Tech #631

Optus and TPG/Vodafone get together after it didn't work out with Telstra and TPG -…

2 days ago
  • Motoring

EXCLUSIVE: Tesla Supercharger roll-out in Australia stopped as job losses at Tesla end new development

Massive news in the world of Electric Vehicles this week with Tesla laying off around…

3 days ago
  • Lifestyle

Podcast: TITANIC – The Best Movies You’ve Never Seen

Jack and Rose, a love story and a tragedy. The iconic Titanic disaster incorporated into…

3 days ago
  • Motoring

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid tops sales charts, but Ford Ranger streets ahead of Toyota HiLux year-to-date

The new-car sales race had quite a few upsets last month, according to official figures…

3 days ago
  • News

AirBNB announce fun new Icon experiences letting you rub shoulders with the stars and more

Finding a fun experience while on a holiday is even easier, with AirBNB announcing Icons,…

3 days ago