McLaren have added 2021 IndyCar champion, Alex Palou to their widening driver roster from 2023 across their various racing categories.
Palou has spent the last two seasons competing in IndyCar where he picked up a rookie season best finish of third at Road America with Dale Coyne Racing in 2020, before switching to Chip Ganassi in 2021 where he cliched three wins and five further podiums en route to the title.
The Spaniard currently sits fourth this season and 21 points off teammate and ex F1 driver, Marcus Ericsson with eight races remaining.
Chip Ganassi yesterday (12 July) proceeded to confirm Palou as one of their IndyCar drivers for next season which the 25 year-old denied on Twitter, just prior to McLaren confirming his move for next season.
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I have recently learned from the media that this afternoon, without my approval, Chip Ganassi Racing issued a press release announcing that I would be driving with CGR in 2023. Even more surprising was that CGR’s release included a “quote” which did not come from me.
— Alex Palou Montalbo (@AlexPalou) July 12, 2022
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I did not approve that press release, and I did not author or approve that quote. As I have recently informed CGR, for personal reasons, I do not intend to continue with the team after 2022.
— Alex Palou Montalbo (@AlexPalou) July 12, 2022
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This evening’s unfortunate events aside, I have great respect for the CGR team, and look forward to finishing this season strongly together.
— Alex Palou Montalbo (@AlexPalou) July 12, 2022
As part of his racing duties next season, Palou will conduct tests for McLaren’s F1 Team alongside fellow IndyCar drivers, Pato O’Ward and Colton Herta with the trio set to test McLaren’s 2021 MCL35M as part of their testing programme.
Speaking about his latest opportunity which create potential opportunities to drive in other categories, Palou said: “I’m extremely excited to join the driver roster for such an iconic team as McLaren.
“I’m excited to be able to show what I can do behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car and looking at what doors that may open. I want to thank everyone at Chip Ganassi Racing for everything they have done for me.”
McLaren CEO, Zak Brown added that his aim is to recruit the “best talent at McLaren,” across their expanded racing portfolio of; F1, IndyCar and Extreme E whilst they will also join Formula E from 2022-23 season onwards.
Explaining why McLaren have added Palou to their driver ranks, Brown commented: “Alex is an incredibly talented driver who has won in every series he has raced in, and I’m happy to welcome him to the McLaren family.”
McLaren will unveil their 2023 driver line-ups for across their four racing categories in due course.
What Does Palou’s Arrival Means For Daniel Ricciardo?
With increased scrutiny surrounding the future of Daniel Ricciardo within McLaren’s F1 team, Palou’s arrival does throw up fresh questions about Ricciardo’s place within their set-up if he does continue to struggle to the new-generation F1 cars.
One option could be to potentially promote one of Herta, Palou, O’Ward or Felix Rosenqvist who are currently on McLaren’s books in various forms, and move Ricciardo across to head one of their other racing programmes – likely IndyCar or Formula E.
Another option could well see Ricciardo part company with McLaren unless he decide to stick around for next season in hope of progress within F1, where he has struggled to match teammate – Lando Norris this season with a 47-point gap between the two teammates.
Either way, McLaren seems to be investing in the next generation of motorsport with the opening of different paths towards their F1 team, which does raise questions about where Ricciardo fits into the team long-term.
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