IndyCar stars get a taste of Formula 1. Last year’s champion takes part in first practice session in Austin

Starting this season, every team is obliged to field a driver who has completed at most two races in the Queen of Motorsport in at least two practice sessions. McLaren has chosen two star drivers from the American IndyCar Series.

Both Álex Palou and Pato O’Ward have already had their first taste of F1 cars. They tested the 2021 McLaren MCL35M at the Barcelona circuit, but this is the first Formula One weekend for both.

Mexican O’Ward has long been talked about as a potential replacement for Daniel Ricciardo. He has been performing well in IndyCar for a long time, with four wins, 14 podiums and five pole positions in 47 races.

The 23-year-old has also impressed McLaren boss Zak Brown in earlier tests. He set the fourth fastest time in post-season testing in December 2021.

However, the British team has decided to keep the young driver on its Indycar team. Instead, 2021 F2 champion Oscar Piastri will drive alongside Lando Norris next year. O’Ward will only drive the first free practice session for the team at the Abu Dhabi GP.

Palou’s chances of becoming a Formula 1 driver in the future are much slimmer. Unfortunately, the 25-year-old Spaniard doesn’t have as strong an attachment to any one team as O’Ward.

But what is in his favour is his IndyCar record. Unlike the Mexican, he has a championship to his name.

“I’m really looking forward to making my debut on F1 weekend, it’s great to be driving in the United States in front of the fans who have seen me race in IndyCar.”

Formula 1