Attached to the regulations, Mclaren will comply with the requirement to give two rookie drivers a chance in a couple of FP1s with Alex Palou and Pato O’Ward. In the case of the Spaniard, he will do the same in FP1 of the United States GP, while the one from Monterrey will drive the MCL36 in Abu Dhabi, although unfortunately it will not be in the Mexican GP as was speculated.
Can’t wait to hit the track in Abu Dhabi
Mclaren through a press release indicates that O’Ward will drive the car of Lando Norris in the last weekend of the 2022 season of Formula 1. “Alex and Pato were impressed with their recent tests in Barcelona and Austria and we are excited to bring you the MCL36 experience. It is a great opportunity for them to show off their skills on the world stage of Formula 1, where the focus will be on helping the team prepare for the race weekend and not on the ultimate lap times,” commented Andreas Seidl, Formula 1 director. team.
Pato O’Ward could not hide his happiness of what this opportunity represents to conclude this 2022. “I can’t wait to get out on the track in Abu Dhabi. I have 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” commented the 23-year-old driver.
It should be noted that this is not the first time O’Ward is driving a Formula 1 single-seaterpreviously in Abu Dhabi he was in one of the category tests at the end of 2021 and recently he was in other team tests in Barcelona and Austria leaving good feelings within the British team.
When will Pato O’Ward race at the Abu Dhabi GP?
We will be able to see Pato O’ward the friday november 18 when he drives the MCL36 car to make its debut in FP1. This will occur, if there are no changes, at 4:00 a.m. (downtown) from Mexico. By that date, F1 will once again have two Mexican drivers on the track, taking into account “Checo” Pérez who is still in the Red Bull Racing team.