Mclaren drivers indycar

McLaren boss Zak Brown had a little dig at Alex Palou’s expense as he outlined the team’s reserve driver status for the rest of 2023. McLaren’s reserve driver pool was unclear following IndyCar Champion Alex Palou’s decision to cut and run from the McLaren IndyCar team before turning a wheel for them. Racing for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2023, Palou had been due to join McLaren’s IndyCar squad for next season, but severed ties with McLaren and his own management team – Palou’s decision not to join McLaren has resulted in a legal battle starting between the two sides. Who are McLaren F1’s reserve drivers? With Palou and McLaren at loggerheads heading into the part of the season where the Spaniard was expected to take part in a rookie practice session for the F1 team, McLaren have instead added a new name to their books. Former Haas driver Mick Schumacher, thanks to his Mercedes connection, remains one of the names available for call-up by McLaren, as well as Stoffel Vandoorne. … [Read more...] about Zak Brown lands Alex Palou dig as McLaren add new reserve driver to the fold

After their plans for Alex Palou came to naught, McLaren have announced a new reserve driver for the 2024 season in Ryo Hirakawa. Last season McLaren signed Palou for the 2024 season with the Spaniard expected to race for the team in IndyCar while dovetailing that with Formula 1 reserve driver duties. However, a breakdown in the relationship means McLaren and Palou will next meet in court with McLaren seeking to recoup between $20 million and $30 million in damages stemming from Palou reneging on his McLaren contract. McLaren’s 2024 driver line is officially complete His departure from McLaren’s programme has opened for the door for 29-year-old Hirakawa, who’ll join the team for the 2024 championship. Fresh from re-signing Oscar Piastri , McLaren’s full line-up is now confirmed in their two race drivers, Piastri and Lando Norris, and their reserve driver, Hirakawa. Having spent much of his career in Super Formula and Super GT career, Hirakawa won the 2022 24 Hours of … [Read more...] about McLaren confirm surprise F1 2024 reserve driver plans after Alex Palou’s exit

There is a significantly different look on the calendar that remains made up of 17 events, along with the additional $1 Million Challenge non-points exhibition at The Thermal Club on 24 March. The changes include Texas Motor Speedway being dropped from the schedule, ending an annual trip that dates back to 1997. That loss won’t see a downsize in oval events, though, as the series returns to Milwaukee for the first time since 2015, with the venue hosting a double-header as the penultimate round on Labor Day weekend. “There is such a great tradition and history of IndyCar racing at the Milwaukee Mile, and we are excited to build on that legacy with a Labor Day-weekend NTT IndyCar Series double-header beginning in 2024,” said Roger Penske, chairman of Penske Corporation. “We appreciate all the loyal and passionate IndyCar fans in Milwaukee and across the state of Wisconsin, and thanks to our partnership with the Wisconsin State Fair Park, we can’t wait to return to the Mile next … [Read more...] about IndyCar reveals 2024 schedule as Milwaukee Mile returns

The 26-year-old Florida-born American Swede hasn’t competed in North America’s premier open wheel championship since 2021 but could be poised for a return to the grid in 2024. Askew , along with newly crowned Indy NXT champion Christian Rasmussen, are both testing with ECR at the 2.3-mile, 17-turn natural terrain road course. And the aim is to use the opportunity to springboard into the team’s No. 20 Chevrolet entry alongside Rinus VeeKay for next year. “There's nothing that would make me happier than a redo at what meant the world to me -- and what still does -- in IndyCar,” Askew told Motorsport.com. “I really want to go back and cause some mischief.” The outing for Askew comes 729 days since his last IndyCar start, which came in the season finale on the Streets of Long Beach Sept. 26, 2021. Oliver Askew, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda Photo by: Barry Cantrell / Motorsport Images A potential pairing alongside VeeKay would provide ECR with one … [Read more...] about Askew hopeful ECR test leads to IndyCar return

World Endurance Championship title holder and Le Mans 24 Hours winner Ryo Hirakawa has joined McLaren’s driver development programme. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free Hirakawa will serve as one of the team’s reserve drivers in Formula 1 this year. His signing comes after IndyCar champion Alex Palou cut his ties with the team and chose to remain with Ganassi in the US series. McLaren confirmed Hirakawa will continue to drive for Toyota in WEC, where he leads the championship he won last year with his team mates Brendon Hartley and Sebastien Buemi. The 29-year-old is also in his sixth season of racing in Japan’s Super Formula series, where he currently races against drivers including AlphaTauri racer Liam Lawson . Hirakawa has won four races in the series and has a best championship position of second. McLaren has not indicated whether it plans to run Hirakawa in practice sessions, though his lack of F1 experience means doing so would count towards … [Read more...] about McLaren signs WEC champion and Le Mans winner Hirakawa as F1 reserve driver

Hirakawa will become part of McLaren's driver development programme, supporting the Woking team in its simulator as well as conducting a testing programme with its 2021 MCL35M car. The 29-year-old will dovetail his F1 testing role with his current drive for Toyota, with which he is currently leading the Hypercar class in the World Endurance Championship. Hirakawa and his team-mates Sebastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley are the reigning champions too, having won both the overall title and the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2022. “I’m happy to have joined the McLaren F1 team as a reserve driver," Hirakawa said on the margins of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix. "It’s an exciting prospect to work with such a respected team and I’m grateful to Zak [Brown] and Andrea [Stella] for the opportunity. "I’ve already met the team and experienced the simulator at MTC which has allowed me to hit the ground running. I’m now fully prepared and focused for the remainder of 2023. "I am grateful … [Read more...] about McLaren signs Le Mans winner Hirakawa as F1 reserve driver

McLaren has claimed a first by introducing new technology which will allow the team to change the branding on its car during a race weekend. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free The system will be debuted at this weekend’s United States Grand Prix and used until the end of the season, though in Friday practice sessions only. Two display units will be positioned around the cockpits of their MCL36s. Images issued by the team indicate they will be either side of the driver. McLaren’s executive director for brand and marketing, Louise Evans, described it as “one of the most exciting innovations in digital advertising technology.” The team expects it will allow them to give more flexible branding options to its partners. “Being able to rotate different brands on our cars is a game-changer in this space and we are looking forward to seeing the impact this has on the wider industry,” Evans added. The team is looking into using the system for its other racing … [Read more...] about McLaren using new technology to change sponsor logos on car in real-time

Multiple Argentinian Super TC2000 champion Agustin Canapino will join the IndyCar grid this season with Juncos Hollinger Racing, the team have announced. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free The 32-year-old will join the team – jointly owned by Argentinian Ricardo Juncos – for the upcoming IndyCar championship. He will race alongside Callum Ilott in the number 78 car as the team expands to a two-car entry for 2023. He will compete in the full season, including oval races. Canapino is one of South America’s most successful touring car drivers, having been crowned champion of the Argentinian Super TC2000 series twice in 2016 and 2021 as well as multiple titles in lower categories in the nation. Racing in IndyCar is a “great opportunity”, said Canapino. “I’m going in with my mind set on learning and going step-by-step, but I’m also focused on evolving throughout the season. The goal is to finish the races, get to know the car, and the circuits – especially the … [Read more...] about Argentinian touring car champion Canapino gets full-time IndyCar drive

McLaren have announced they will run 2021 NASCAR Cup champion Kyle Larson in next year’s Indianapolis 500 as he attempts a ‘double-header’ by contesting another race on the same day. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free Larson, who races for Hendrick Motorsports in NASCAR’s premier class, will race both the Indianapolis 500 in Indiana and then the NASCAR race 700km away in Charlotte, North Carolina on the same day. He will become the latest in a line of NASCAR drivers attempt to win both races on the same day – known as ‘the double’ – including Kurt Busch, Robby Gordon and Tony Stewart. The 30-year-old said competing in the Indy 500 will fulfil a long-held ambition to race in the fabled event. Larson said he was “super excited” to attempt the double with McLaren. “Competing at the Indianapolis 500 is a dream of mine and something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time – since I was a child before I ever began competing in sprint cars,” said Larson. “To do it … [Read more...] about McLaren to run NASCAR champion Larson in 2024 Indy 500 ‘double’ attempt