Jean Alesi’s smile as he exited the No. 64 car summarized his day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“It’s great,” said the French driver who at age 47 is a rookie again.

Sure the speed wasn’t there to complete the three phases of the Rookie Orientation Program, but that was secondary. There’s plenty of time, including the addition of 90 minutes May 11 following the Firestone Indy Lights Open Test, and May 12-13.

Click it: Rookie Orientation Program laps, times

For the first day on the 2.5-mile oval – any oval in his long career – Alesi was pleased with the level of comfort and lack of surprises from the Lotus 2.2-liter, twin turbocharged V-6 engine. It also was the manufacturer’s initial session on the Speedway.

“There’s a first time for everything,” said Alesi, who recorded 18 laps in the afternoon. “It’s a big day and I’m very happy to be in Indianapolis on this great racetrack with Lotus. I will rest better now. You have a tension when you go out of the pit, but as soon as you change gears and go up with the speed you feel in your world. I’ve been in motorsports for a long time but haven’t driven on an oval, so I’ve very happy to have accomplished this part.”

The Formula One veteran of 13 seasons announced in September that he sought to compete in the Indianapolis 500 for the first time for the “mighty but hugely attractive challenge,” and official paperwork was submitted to INDYCAR on May 8.

He joined seven other first-year competitors in the Rookie Orientation Program in the new Dallara prepared and entered by Firestone Indy Lights team Fan Force United. Alesi is a Lotus ambassador and his personal sponsor, FP Journe -- a Swiss watchmaker – is the primary sponsor of the Month of May effort.

“It’s the place to be,” Alesi said. “I can say it’s fast. I have to learn so many things but the first impression was great. At the end of the day, it’s a question of how the driver feels on the track and I feel good.”

Greg Beck, an Indianapolis 500 team owner and a member of the Fan Force United group, said he was impressed with Alesi's smoothness in the new Dallara.

"It's just learning the car and it's the first time for Lotus to be on the track so we're working through some things that the Chevy and Honda guys already have gone through," Beck said. "We made some gains today and look forward to tomorrow."