We will have three Spaniards on track in Free Practice 1 of the F1 US GP! Álex Palou, at the wheel of the McLaren MCL36, joins Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso on track.
Álex Palou will participate in his first official Formula 1 tests next Friday and will take what could be the first step towards a dream. The Catalan will get behind the wheel of Daniel Ricciardo’s McLaren MCL36 at the Austin Circuit to take part in Free Practice 1 of the United States Grand Prix.
To date, Palou has only participated in two practice sessions with an F1, the McLaren MCL35 from last season, with which he has rolled in recent weeks on the circuits of Barcelona and Austria.
The Barcelona native is part of McLaren’s Previous Car Test (TPC) program, which he joined after the controversy over the signing of his contract with McLaren while Chip Ganassi Racing wanted to keep him in Indycar. Finally, the American squad has given him the option to pursue the dream of F1, although at least in 2023, he will continue to defend his colors in Indycar.
Indycar champion in 2021, Palou faces this new challenge with great enthusiasm: “I am very excited about my debut in an F1 weekend. It is fantastic to be able to drive in the United States in front of fans who could have seen me in Indycar.
Having driven the McLaren MCL35M in various tests, I am looking forward to getting the most out of the MCL36. I am looking forward to helping the team in their preparation for the 2022 United States GP.”
In addition to Palou, another driver from the McLaren universe, the Mexican Pato O’Ward, who has raced with the British brand in Indycar for the last three seasons, will also ride in Free Practice 1 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Seidl, delighted
“We are delighted to give Alex and Pato the opportunity to take part in free practice sessions with McLaren. With Alex’s great successes in Indycar, it will be useful for the team to get their feedback on the car and for us to continue evaluating it.” as a driver,” says team boss Andreas Seidl.
“Alex and Pato impressed with their recent tests in Barcelona and Austria and we are delighted to offer them the experience in the MCL36. It is a great opportunity for them to showcase their skills on the global Formula 1 stage, where the focus will be on helping the team to prepare for the race weekend and not in the final times,” he adds.
By giving these opportunities to its two young drivers, McLaren will comply with the rule introduced this season that requires teams to give up one of their cars to a rookie during two free practice sessions.
