INDIANAPOLIS -- Fernando Alonso currently is outside the field for his second Indianapolis 500 after being bumped by J.R. Hildebrand during the final 10 minutes of Saturday’s qualifying session
The two-time Formula One champion posted an average of 227.224 mph on his fourth attempt, which had been good enough for 29th. But his lap slid out of the top 30 qualifying spots over the final 30 minutes.
“We didn’t have the speed, and I hope Sunday, we have another chance to be in the race,” Alonso told NBCSN’s Kelli Stavast after the qualifying session ended at 5:50 p.m. ET. “If we don’t get it, it’s because we don’t deserve it.”
Alonso’s car is among the six outside the top 30 that will battle it out Sunday for the final three spots in the 103rd running of the Indy 500.
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After a disastrously slow first attempt, Alonso went to 30th of 36 drivers attempting to make the 33-car field after his attempt at 4:15 p.m.
But 15 minutes later, Pato O’Ward bumped Alonso from the top 30. Alonso quickly made another attempt, but it wasn’t fast enough for the top 30.
The first round of qualifying ends at 5:50 p.m. ET, and the top 30 will be locked into the race.
Alonso’s No. 66 McLaren Racing Chevrolet went fastest on its third attempt after lagging on its first and waving off the second.
The Spaniard is in a backup car after crashing Wednesday in practice.