If 2021 is his title, the first for a Spaniard, in IndyCar, in 2022 he opened the door to Formula 1 with some training with McLaren that helped him sign as a reserve driver for 2023 and, although cautiously admitting that it is still “too far” to compete in a top class race, Álex Palou hastened to make it a reality.
He met with EFE at the José Ramón Losada de Arteixo Circuit, the ‘Cathedral’ of autocross, where exactly a year ago he said that Formula 1 was not on “his mind” because, despite winning the Indy, he didn’t have “the opportunity” to sit in a car like the ones usually driven by his compatriots Carlos Sainz or Fernando Alonso, but everything changed in a 2022 that is facing its final phase.
Just days after McLaren announced him as a reserve driver, a role he will carry with the Indy championship, Palou changed the asphalt for the dirt of the Coruña autocross circuit to have fun behind the wheel of a Citroen Saxowhere he participated in an endurance race, or got behind the controls of a kartcross to repeat the experience in 2021.
“I’m really looking forward to coming back after last year, to do a little bit better and to have fun and experience the atmosphere here. It’s very different from what I’m used to but it’s so beautiful. I learned last year and I like it“, admits the Catalan pilot.
In 2022, he participated in several private tests for McLaren and, subsequently, officially debuted in Formula 1 in the first free practice of the United States Grand Prix, in Austin (Texas), on the Circuit of the Americas, where he showed quality, potential and restraint, virtues that earned him a reserve position.
“Formula 1 is a long way off (a year ago), but we’ve made a lot of strides this year. I am happy to have tried Formula 1for being a tester, a reserve driver, for McLaren next year and I think it’s something good to learn and keep fighting,” he explained.
The young pilot, who is 25 years old, is preparing for a busy 2023, full of trips between IndyCar, where he will focus his efforts on trying to win his second championship after failing to do so this year, and his new mission in Formula 1.
“More importantly, I will be busier. Our number one goal is IndyCar and we will combine it with the role of reserve pilot. I will change from one place to another, and learn above all how a weekend works in Formula 1″, he assessed.
His career is developing and, when asked about the future, he remains humble, but his smile gives him away. “We will try to make 2023 better than 2021 and 2022.”said Palou, who at Indy drives one of Chip Ganassi Racing’s cars.
Although he did not retain the title, in 2022, in addition to his foray into Formula 1, he finished the Indy season with his first victory of the year in the final race, Laguna Seca (Monterey Grand Prix). , and finished the year fifth with 510 points, 50 behind the champion, Australian Will Power.
“I am happy. I want to win and when you don’t win it feels like a bad year, but we’ll try to improve everything we didn’t do well and won the championship again”, he promised.
Palou moves forward with his feet on the ground And, for now, despite all the progress he has made, he is cautious about running the Formula 1 Grand Prix, an event that could happen because he is McLaren’s reserve.
“That’s far. Yes it is very far. Step by step. We are focused on IndyCar and doing my best as a test driver and, if a race comes, welcome,” he said.
While that race didn’t come, he could see the ‘bulls’ from the barrier, pending the full grid, McLaren, and the Spaniard.
He sees Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), “of course, qualified” to fight for a World Cup, although for that he will have to find the continuity that he lacked in 2022, the year of his first victory in the premier class.
“Doing good all year round is complicated. He was a little out of luck“, assured Palou, considering that it is “happy to see the change” of Fernando Alonso’s team.
The two-time world champion left the Alpine wheel to sit in the car left by German Sebastian Vettel at Aston Martin. “No one knows how this will turn out, so we hope“, said Palou before enjoying the land of Arteixo.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
