IndyCar: Only two of McLaren’s IndyCar drivers considered good enough for F1

McLaren boss Zak Brown feels that drivers like Alex Palou and Pato O’Ward have the potential to reach Formula 1 in the future and be competitive. The other McLaren IndyCar drivers – Alexander Rossi or Felix Rosenqvist – it would seem, are not candidates.

Speaking to the Spanish edition of Motorsport.com, Brown detailed why the team has signed multiple drivers and is looking to give them the opportunity to perform on the big stage. Both Pato O’Ward and Alex Palou have had the opportunity to take part in the young driver tests for McLaren.

Talking about the importance of the testing program for McLaren, Brown said,

“The testing program is very important to us. We have the obligation to complete two free practice sessions 1 each season with rookie drivers or with very little experience and we want to take advantage of it with drivers who have the potential to reach F1. We also need drivers who can help us during that race weekend. You never know what’s going to happen and what you’re going to need later.”

Specifically talking about Alex Palou, the 2021 IndyCar champion, Brown was very impressed with the Spaniard in particular, hence why they went hard after him to snatch him right out from under Chip Ganassi’s nose. Brown said:

“We have people like Pato, who has won races with us, and Alex Palou, who has won the championship. I think Alex has done a very good job in some tests he has done with us. You don’t know if a driver suddenly goes to test positive for COVID-19 and at that moment, urgently, you are going to need a substitute”.