McLaren will give practice stints to IndyCar drivers Alex Palou (in Austin) and Patricio O’Ward (in Abu Dhabi), fulfilling its obligation for the 2022 season
McLaren will let IndyCar drivers Alex Palou and Patricio O’Ward take the wheel of the MCL36 for the first free practices in Austin and Abu Dhabi. In doing so, the team complies with the rules requirement that each team must allow two rookie entries on Grand Prix Fridays.
Palou will take part in practice for Daniel Ricciardo in the USA, while O’Ward will drive for Lando Norris in Abu Dhabi rather than in his native Mexico. Both drivers had already completed test drives this season in an MCL35M from last season.
“We are delighted to be giving Alex and Pato the opportunity to take part in free practice sessions with McLaren,” said team boss Andreas Seidl. “Given Alex’s great success in the IndyCar Series, it will be useful for the team to get his feedback on the car and for us to further evaluate him as a driver. “
McLaren already wanted Palou to join its IndyCar team for the 2023 season, however the Spaniard still has a valid contract with Chip Ganassi and must remain with a previous racing team for one more season, with whom he could win the 2021 IndyCar Series title.
Delighted to give @AlexPalou and @PatricioOWard opportunities to drive for @McLarenF1 in Free Practice 1 sessions at the USGP and the AbuDhabiGP, respectively. They’re great talents and deserve this opportunity! pic.twitter.com/Gok8LqomU1
– Zak Brown (@ZBrownCEO) October 14, 2022
“I’m really looking forward to making my debut in Formula 1,” said Palou. “It’s great to race in the US in front of fans who may have seen me in the IndyCar Series. Having already driven the 2021 McLaren MCL35M in a few tests, I can’t wait to put the MCL36 through its paces.”
“I’m looking forward to helping the team prepare for the 2022 United States Grand Prix,” said Palou, who finished the 2022 IndyCar season fifth.
O’Ward is already entering his fourth season with Arrow McLaren SP in 2023. “I can’t wait to get on track in Abu Dhabi,” said the IndyCar seventh-place finisher. “I’ve developed as a driver and had a lot of fun testing last year’s car with the team, so it will be a great experience driving the MCL36. “
“Alex and Pato have impressed in their recent tests in Barcelona and Austria and we are delighted to be able to offer them the experience of driving the MCL36,” added Team Principal Seidl.
“It’s a great opportunity for them to showcase their skills on the global Formula One stage, where the focus will be on helping the team prepare for the race weekend rather than ultimate lap times.”
Palou is the fifth Friday driver in Austin after Robert Schwarzman (Ferrari), Antonio Giovinazzi (Haas), Logan Sargeant (Williams) and Theo Pourchaire (Alfa Romeo). In addition to O’Ward, Pietro Fittipaldi (Haas) and Felipe Drugovich (Aston Martin) have been confirmed for Abu Dhabi so far (to the overview of the 2022 Friday drivers).
