F1: IndyCar champion Alex Palou to take on McLaren reserve role | Inquirer Sports

F1: IndyCar champion Alex Palou to take on McLaren reserve role

/ 02:38 PM December 02, 2022

FILE PHOTO:  McLaren F1 Team driver Alex Palou (28) of Team Spain drives during practice for the U.S. Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas.

FILE PHOTO: McLaren F1 Team driver Alex Palou (28) of Team Spain drives during practice for the U.S. Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports/

LONDON —Spaniard Alex Palou, the 2021 IndyCar champion, will combine racing in the U.S. series next year with a McLaren Formula One reserve role where schedules allow, the team said on Thursday.

The 25-year-old took part in Friday free practice at this year’s U.S. Grand Prix in Austin and has also been involved in McLaren’s driver development testing program.

Article continues after this advertisement

Palou will continue to race for Chip Ganassi Racing next season after a failed attempt to move to McLaren’s IndyCar team.

FEATURED STORIES

McLaren has Britain’s Lando Norris and Australian rookie Oscar Piastri as their 2023 Formula One lineup.

“I’m excited to be part of the McLaren team as one of their reserve drivers in 2023. I’ve been behind the wheel of both the MCL35M and MCL36 and it has been a great experience, so I can’t wait for the involvement with next year’s car,” said Palou.

Article continues after this advertisement

“I look forward to continuing my development as a driver and I appreciate the trust McLaren have in me with this new role next year.”

Article continues after this advertisement

McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl said Palou had impressed in Austin and other tests.

Article continues after this advertisement

“It’s brilliant to be able to expand his role in the team and we look forward to working more closely with him,” he added.

Eleven of next year’s 24 scheduled F1 grands prix clash with IndyCar, whose season starts in Florida on March 5 and ends in California on Sept. 10.

Article continues after this advertisement

McLaren this year had an agreement to use Mercedes’ F1 reserve drivers if needed.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Formula One, McLaren

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.