This year, Alex Palow has a very busy schedule: firstly, the new season in IndyCar has already started, it has 16 stages, which will take place in about seven months. Second, he became one of McLaren’s official F1 reserve drivers, so he recently flew to the UK and spent a full day working at the team’s base in Woking.
“I love being here, this is the best base I’ve ever seen,” he summed up this short visit. “It’s not just a base: the McLaren Technology Center (MTC) is a museum dedicated to the team’s rich history, so there’s a special atmosphere here.
This base has everything the rider needs to improve his professional skills. Everyone knows MTC. Even before I was here for the first time I saw it on TV and in movies, but when you first come here you see this lake, these cars and everything in it, it’s really impressive.
During the day spent in Woking, Alex managed to put the seat in the MCL60 cockpit, train on the simulator, work with engineers, with mechanics, and also have dinner with McLaren Racing CEO Zach Brown.
“It’s great to be part of this team and to work with the engineers and mechanics,” continued the Spanish rider. “We have fewer people at IndyCar working on the cars. At McLaren, all the employees are specialists of the highest level, from engineers to press service. Engineers are fully aware of the information about the car, they know everything about it, right down to the the smallest detail.They have a huge amount of tasks, the work is in full swing, which is great, because you are constantly learning a lot of new things.
Last year Alex tested the MCL35M, but also in Austin he spent the first Friday practice during the days of the US race weekend, and then worked behind the wheel of the MCL36.
“I think it is useful for the team to hear the experiences of different riders from different backgrounds,” says Palou. – In particular, I may provide information that differs from that shared by another rider.
Last year on the COTA circuit for the US Grand Prix, I was able to tell the team what I felt behind the wheel of the car, compare it to my usual feelings. I probably had my own opinion that weekend and it was useful for the team.”
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
