Alex Ballou will be a McLaren Racing driver in 2023

The IndyCar Champion will test a McLaren F1 car this summer

MADRID, July 13 (European press) –

Spanish driver Alex Ballo, IndyCar champion in 2021, will sign with McLaren Racing in 2023 in a bid for a second title, as well as the 2021 F1 test from Woking (UK) this summer.

“I am very excited to join the roster of drivers in a team as iconic as McLaren,” the Barcelona native confirmed after McLaren announced his signature “from 2023” to compete with them in IndyCar, a competition he won in his second year. Which no other Spaniard had ever occupied before.

In addition to being a factory McLaren driver in the US Championship, Ballou will also test with the McLaren F1 team as part of its testing program for the 2021 MCL35M F1 single-seater, along with Pato Award and Colton Herta.

He will join McLaren after the 2022 INDYCAR season ends. McLaren Racing will confirm its full line-up of drivers in all its racing series in due course.

The 25-year-old Ballou won three races and scored eight times on the podium in 2021 and is on track to win the title in his second year in the IndyCar series. Prior to this title, he was third in the Super Formula Championship in 2019, with one win.

“I am very excited to be joining the drivers roster for such an iconic team as McLaren. I am excited to be able to show what I can do behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car and see what doors can open. I want to thank everyone at Chip Ganassi Racing. for everything they have done for me.” , Palou values.

For his part, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown welcomed the Catalan. “We’ve always said we want the best talent in McLaren and it’s exciting to be able to include Alex on that list,” he added.

“I am also really looking forward to seeing him drive a Formula 1 car as part of the TPC program alongside Pato O’Ward and Colton Herta. Alex is an incredibly talented driver who has won every test and race, and I am happy to welcome him to the family McLaren”.