Alex Palou will join McLaren Racing in 2023

McLaren has decided to sign the reigning IndyCar World Champion in order to strengthen their team and their choice of drivers. This does not mean that Alex Palou will be driving for the McLaren Formula 1 team, at least not immediately.

Indeed, although the Spanish driver is currently part of McLaren only as a reserve driver, a clause in the contract with the British team states that Formula 1 testing is scheduled for 2023.

Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, explains the reasons for signing a third IndyCar driver within McLaren. « I have already stated my choice of wanting the best talents at McLaren, and I am excited to sign Alex Palou. »

« I am also excited to see him behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car as part of our testing program on vintage models alongside Pato O’ward and Colton Herta while continuing to develop our talents.

A bad news for Ricciardo

Ricciardo’s days at McLaren are surely numbered, and the arrival of a new driver only reinforces this sentiment. Although recent rumors claim that Oscar Piastri, boosted by his manager Mark Webber, would be McLaren’s number one choice.

The arrival of Palou adds to the list of possible substitutes for Ricciardo (who claims that he will remain in Formula 1 next year), along with O’ward and Herta. It will certainly be necessary to wait until 2024 to have one of these three Americans behind the wheel of McLaren for a full season, as their tests begin next year.