F1 practice sessions before the end of the season.Spaniard Alex Palou, who won the IndyCar crown in 2021, will take over Daniel Ricciardo's seat for free practice one at next weekend’s United States Grand Prix in Austin.McLaren tried to sign Palou for their IndyCar team for 2023, but after losing a legal dispute for his services, he will remain with the Chip Ganassi squad.
However, the 25-year-old has been allowed to sign an F1 test deal with McLaren. READ MORE: Forgotten F1 tracks from Korean swamp to Vietnam circuit only raced on computer game The other driver is Mexican Pato O’Ward, who will replace Lando Norris for the first practice session at the season finale in Abu Dhabi next month.
O’Ward is part of McLaren’s IndyCar team and took part in the F1 young drivers’ test for the Woking squad at the end of last season.“I can’t wait to get out on track in Abu Dhabi,” said O’Ward. “I’ve developed as a driver and had a lot of fun testing last year’s car with the team, so it will be a great experience to drive the MCL36.
Thank you, McLaren F1, for the opportunity.”While it is no surprise that O’Ward has been given an opportunity given his links to McLaren, there is bafflement among some fans that he won’t be driving in Mexico in front of his home fans or in the US, where he lives. Do you think Palou and O'Ward will be F1 drivers in the future?
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