McLaren runs O'Ward and Palou in F1 tests in Barcelona

Pato O'Ward and Alex Palou are taking part in a private test this Wednesday at the wheel of the McLaren MCL35 M at the Circuti de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Published on 14/09/2022 à 16:48

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McLaren runs O'Ward and Palou in F1 tests in Barcelona

It's not the drivers at McLaren / © McLaren F1/Twitter

While the legal imbroglio surrounding Alex Palou's contractual status has finally been resolved, McLaren confirmed that the champion IndyCar 2021 drove this Wednesday in Barcelona at the wheel of a 35 McLaren MCL2021 M.

The Spaniard, who will continue to drive under the colors of Chip Ganassi Racing next year while having the right to test with McLaren F1, is accompanied by the Mexican Pato O'Ward in Catalonia.

The two IndyCar talents thus participate in a testing program with former F1 cars (“Testing of Previous Cars” according to the nomenclature used in the official F1 regulations), the same one which allowed Colton Herta to make his debut aboard 'a car Grand Prix earlier this season in Portimão (Portugal).

None, however, seems to have an F1 future with McLaren, since the British team will field a duo Lando Norris-Oscar piastri in the category from next season, and for several seasons at least. Norris is in fact under contract with Woking until 2025 and future recruit Piastri until 2024.