McLaren has made no promises to Alex Palou and Pato O’ward regarding Formula 1
McLaren will welcome two new reserve drivers in 2023. However, Zak Brown specifies that he has not made any promises to his new recruits, who are currently not being considered for the next step in Formula 1.
After numerous private testing sessions and a free practice session at the end of the season for Alex Palou, McLaren now has two IndyCar drivers in its ranks who could potentially make the jump to Formula 1 if opportunities arise. However, Zak Brown, the team director, has been clear with his drivers by not making any promises to them.
Alex Palou will take part in several free practice sessions in 2023 as he is now the reserve driver for the Woking team. The 2021 Indycar champion holds his Super Licence, which allows him to compete in the discipline. This is one of the main reasons Zak Brown decided to promote him to this position. Indeed, Pato O’Ward also impressed the team during private testing sessions, but he does not yet have the precious required permit to race in the premier discipline. Zak Brown believes that the McLaren team’s driver in Indycar can obtain his Super Licence during the 2023 season of the North American championship.
“We announced Alex Palou as our reserve driver because he has his super license,” stated Brown to the Australian website RacingNews365. “I think and hope he will be eligible by the end of the 2023 IndyCar season, but there is no promise other than an opportunity.”
Having two IndyCar drivers who hold a Super Licence and have both been very impressive in a Formula 1 car gives us a lot of possibilities in our choices.
