After the storm of last July, calm has arrived for Alex Palou, who, in addition to having clarified his future, is experiencing a dream week.
After closing the 2022 IndyCar season with a great victory at Laguna Seca, the Spaniard, after passing through Woking for a simulator session, traveled to Barcelona to play a private test with McLaren F1 that started this Wednesday.
Thus, he fulfilled his dream of debuting in Formula 1 , with the McLaren MCL35 with which Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo competed last year, in what was his first test with a single-seater in the highest category.
Alex Palou will never forget this Wednesday, September 14, the date of his debut in F1 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, a few kilometers from his town, Sant Antoni de Vilamajor . And after the ‘shakedown’ on Wednesday, this Thursday and this Friday he will continue to complete his debut at the wheel of the orange papaya car.
Joining Palou was Arrow McLaren SP IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward. The Mexican will follow the same test program as the Spaniard, and it is expected that in the second two days they will also be joined by Colton Herta, driver of Andretti Autosport who would be the main driver of AlphaTauri in 2023 if he were granted the superlicence.
Photo by: Monaco Increase Management
Photo by: Monaco Increase Management
Photo by: Monaco Increase Management
Photo by: Monaco Increase Management
Palou’s first contact came on the same day it was announced that he would finally stick with Chip Ganassi in the 2023 IndyCar season. After the legal mess that occurred when the team announced his renewal and immediately afterwards he denied it and announced his signing for McLaren Racing, the waters have returned to their normal course.
As well as keeping Chip Ganassi’s blue #10 car , Palou will maintain the deal with McLaren to serve as reserve driver and do more testing . He has the superlicence, and after completing his private tests with the British team, he will be ready to make his debut in a Formula 1 grand prix, taking part in a free practice session.
Each team is obliged to field a youngster or rookie in FP1 for two Grand Prix this season, so the opportunity could come for Palou even this season. If not, there will always be the option of the young drivers’ test that takes place in Abu Dhabi at the end of the season, where the team’s new signing, Oscar Piastri, will also be present.
