Alonso is fastest in practice

The U.S. Grand Prix has not been kind to reigning Formula One champion Fernando Alonso, but the Spaniard showed Friday that his first American win might finally be in reach.

Alonso, who won the world championship in 2005 and 2006, posted the fastest laps in both practice sessions. That made the McLaren Mercedes driver a favorite to win the pole position today for Sunday’s 73-lap race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“It’s nice to be back in Indianapolis and so far things are looking promising,” Alonso, 25, said.

But right behind him was his heralded teammate, 22-year-old English rookie Lewis Hamilton, who won his first Formula One race last Sunday at the Canadian Grand Prix. Hamilton’s practice speeds were even more impressive because he had never driven the 2.6-mile, 13-turn Indianapolis course until Friday.

“I spent some time just getting to know the circuit,” he said. “As always, Friday is only the start of the weekend. There is a long way to go.”

Ferrari teammates Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen, along with Nick Heidfeld of the BMW Sauber team, also posted some of the fastest laps.

Alonso has never finished better than fifth in the U.S. Grand Prix, and he was usually overshadowed by Michael Schumacher. The seven-time world champion won five of the seven races that have been held since the speedway designed a temporary course for Formula One racing.

Schumacher retired after last season, but Alonso is still sharing the Indy spotlight, this time with Hamilton, who has an eight-point lead over Alonso in the championship standings.

They arrived this week amid some friction, after Alonso told Spanish media that McLaren Mercedes was giving Hamilton more support. But team official Norbert Haug on Friday discounted any dispute, saying that while both drivers “speak their minds,” they are “are pushing each other in a positive way. I cannot see any friction,” he said. “We have positive competition. That is a good approach.”

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Whether Formula One races again at Indy next year, or anywhere in the United States, is still an open question.

Tony George, whose family owns the speedway, and Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone are expected to meet this weekend to discuss extending their contract, which expires after this season.

But Ecclestone this week reportedly downplayed the importance of America to the series’ future.

London’s Daily Express quoted the British billionaire as saying “it is not vital to Formula One to be in the United States. There are bigger markets for us to be in other parts of the world. We could be in India soon instead of the U.S.”

Ecclestone made similar comments a year ago when the contract was up for renewal, which some interpreted as a negotiating ploy to wring better terms from the track. The contract was extended for only one year.

Speedway President Joie Chitwood, who said earlier this week that he was hopeful both sides would sign a long-term contract, declined to comment.

This will be the eighth U.S. Grand Prix since the speedway overhauled its facility in 2000. The initial race in 2000 drew more than 200,000 spectators, but attendance has fallen to around 100,000 in recent years.

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james.peltz@latimes.com