McLaren impressed with Palou but puts F1 tests on hold

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McLaren Racing boss Zak Brown has been impressed by Alex Palou's forward march in IndyCar this season, but the Spaniard's F1 test programme with team papaya has been put on hold to allow him to fully focus on is title bid in America.

Last weekend at Mid-Ohio, Palou won his third consecutive race in IndyCar and his fourth this season. The 26-year-old's run of form has put him 110 points clear in the series' drivers' standings of his Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon.

Palou's schedule this season also includes several outings with McLaren as part of the team's Testing of Previous Car (TPC) programme. His most recent track day with the team was last month at the Hungaroring where he drove alongside Oscar Piastri.

But Brown says there will be no more F1 outings until after Palou completes his season in IndyCar.

"Alex has been very impressive in IndyCar," said the McLaren boss. "The competition there is fierce. So, for him to win as many races as he has in the fashion in which he's done, it is very impressive.

"He's our reserve driver and will be joining us at the end of the year for the remaining Formula 1 races, so he's definitely a strong, strong talent."

Read also: Alex Palou still on a roll at Mid-Ohio!

Speaking about his multiple F1 tests with McLaren, Palou says the outings have provided him with a few "tools" that he has been able to carry to IndyCar.

"I think it's always great when you can, as a driver, be driving whatever has four wheels and an engine, especially if it's a really fast car and you have so many people working and overseeing what you're doing with the car, talking like engineers," he said, quoted by Motorsport.com.

"Obviously it changes a lot, the way I drive in F1 or in IndyCar. Still, the process and the method and the work ethic, you always learn some tools that you can carry into IndyCar.

"It's been working so far. I love it. I don't expect having anymore testing before our season ends, but it's always good to have some track time."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.