IndyCar stars Pato O’Ward and Alex Palou were handed a rare outing behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car earlier this week.
O’Ward, who races for McLaren in the IndyCar category, already tested for McLaren at last year’s post-season test at Abu Dhabi.
However, for Palou, it marked his first time behind the wheel of an F1 car.
Palou was caught in a contract dispute between McLaren and his Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) team in IndyCar, denying that he would race for CGR after it made an announcement earlier this year.
However, this has since been resolved and Palou will race for CGR in 2023 while also being allowed to test for McLaren.
O’Ward and Palou took to the track in Barcelona this week, driving the 2021 MCL35M, which took McLaren to five podiums last year, including a race victory.
O’Ward will return to IndyCar in 2023, racing alongside Alexander Rossi and Felix Rosenqvist at the McLaren SP team.
Palou, meanwhile, will once again partner six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon and former F1 racer Marcus Ericsson.
Palou won the IndyCar title in 2021, but failed to retain it this year – it was instead won by Team Penske’s Will Power.
