Alex Palou will train with McLaren for the first time in the American stage of the season: on Friday he will drive Daniel Ricciardo’s car in Austin.
The 25-year-old Spaniard is last year’s IndyCar champion with four wins and 15 podium finishes in the series, and in 2019 he finished third in the Japanese Super Formula.
Mexican Pato O’Ward, who plays in IndyCar for Arrow McLaren SP, will drive Lando Norris’ car during first practice in Abu Dhabi. This year he won two victories and took the podium a few more times.
Both drivers have already gained experience driving a Formula 1 car, having participated in tests behind the wheel of last year’s MCL35M car. By inviting them to participate in free practice, McLaren will comply with the requirement of the Sporting Regulations, which require two young riders to have the opportunity to train during the season.
Alex Palow: “I am very excited about my upcoming Formula 1 debut during the days of the US race weekend. It will be great to drive a McLaren car in the US for the fans who may have seen my IndyCar performances.
I have flown the MCL35M many times during testing and now I look forward to the chance to ride the MCL36. I look forward to helping the team prepare for the upcoming US Grand Prix.”
Pato O’Ward: “I can’t wait for the day I get behind the wheel in Abu Dhabi. I’m trying to improve my racing skills and had a lot of fun testing last year’s team car and now it will be great to get to know the MCL36 as well. I am grateful to McLaren F1 for this opportunity.”
Andreas Seid, Team Principal: “We are delighted to give Alex and Pato the opportunity to work with McLaren in training. Alex has had great success with IndyCar and it would be great for the team to know his experience with our car as we continue to evaluate him as a driver.
Alex and Pato impressed us during the recent tests in Barcelona and Austria and we are delighted that they will gain the experience to drive the MCL36. For them, this is a great opportunity to show themselves, while their job is to help the team prepare for the race weekend and not to chase high results on the circle.
Source: F1 News
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