Exactly how many drivers are up for McLaren F1’s seat? Who will exactly drive their car in 2023? And why are they roping in the most talented drivers across various series? From Sebastian Vettel to even the Formula E driver Nyck de Vries, many names have come up to potentially replace Daniel Ricciardo.
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Ricciardo has a contract with the Woking outfit till 2023. Despite “mechanisms” that could end his run at the team a lot sooner than expected, it is a possibility that Ricciardo might do it himself. The driver and the team have failed to match up to each other’s expectations. Shattering fans’ high expectations from the highly anticipated move.
Now, McLaren has stirred the pot even more by announcing another driver sign-up. They have named IndyCar sensation Alex Palou as a part of their “driver roster” for 2023. However, everyone is asking the same question: where will Palou drive next year? Because there has been no mention of his destination yet. This obviously confused Twitter, where the fans reacted hysterically!
All of a sudden, NASCAR, F1, Formula E and IndyCar silly season could all collide. 1) Palou replaces Ricciardo 2) Ricciardo goes to McLaren's rumored third IndyCar seat, replaces Rosenqvist, stays in F1 or leaves McLaren altogether for NASCAR 3) Rosenqvist goes to Formula E.
*Alex Palou entered the chat* 😅 #F1 #IndyCar #Motorsport
Palou vs O'Ward vs Herta vs Vettel vs Albon vs Piastri vs Ricciardo for the McLaren second seat
How do you feel if you're Ricciardo? The release does not indicate a series. The Rosenqvist "demoted if we get Palou" release included two, this one is just "We cannot legally say Alex Palou is also in contention for the F1 seat" and happened through flagrant contract breaking.
Need Palou to ace that F1 test and send Ricciardo packing to a 50-hour week role at a Kangaroo sanctuary
In fact, hours before McLaren’s announcement, the Spaniard’s current team, Chip Ganassi Racing, updated his deal announcing a contract extension. So, what exactly has happened? Is Palou shifting to Arrow McLaren SP? Or is this all a big mistake?
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Fans believe there is also a possibility that the former IndyCar champion is driving for F1 soon. He was one of the drivers named for McLaren’s previous car testing program, and could potentially replace Ricciardo.
Can Alex Palou drive for McLaren next year?
Palou, on the other hand, reportedly, was angry about Ganassi’s announcement of his alleged deal. He expressed his anger on social media and wrote, “I have recently learned from the media that this afternoon, without my approval, Chip Ganassi Racing issued a press release announcing that I would be driving with CGR in 2023,”
USA Today via Reuters
Apr 18, 2021; Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Indy driver Alex Palou (10) at Barber Motorsports Park. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports| REUTERS
“Even more surprising was that CGR’s release included a ‘quote’ which did not come from me. I did not approve that press release, and I did not author or approve that quote.”
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So, after so much chaos, what do you think is happening? But most importantly, who will get the opportunity to drive with McLaren next year?