Pirro to run new McLaren driver programme featuring Palou, O’Ward and Ugochukwu · RaceFans

In brief

McLaren launches refreshed driver development programme headed by Pirro

McLaren has refreshed its programme for supporting young and established development drivers and announced their programme will be headed by former F1 driver and Le Mans 24 Hours winner Emanuele Pirro.

The team has revised its existing programme to help support young drivers in karting and junior formulae and continue to support established drivers in its programme. At current, McLaren’s development roster consists of IndyCar drivers Alex Palou and Pato O’Ward and Formula 4 racer Ugo Ugochukwu.

“Together with my team, my role will assist in creating a state-of-the-art programme, selecting the best possible drivers and providing them with all the tools they need to make the best use of their talent,” said Pirro.

“Furthermore, embed them in the McLaren mission, vision and values and hopefully, have one of them progress to the F1 team.”

Newgarden quickest as Indy 500 open test begins

Josef Newgarden set the pace in the first testing action ahead of next month’s Indianapolis 500 as a two-day open test began.

The Penske driver set the fastest lap speed of 227.686mph to go quickest of the 33 drivers who participated in the test. Rookie drivers Agustin Canapino, Benjamin Pedersen and Sting Ray Robb all successfully completed their rookie programmes.

Former Codemasters F1 lead becomes Motorsport Games CEO

Stephen Hood, the former creative director of Codemasters’ official F1 game franchise, has rejoined the troubled game developer Motorsport Games after the departure of its longtime CEO.

Motorsport Games own exclusive game developing rights to many major motorsport series, including IndyCar, the World Endurance Championship and NASCAR. Despite signing deals to produce a new IndyCar game and a new BTCC game among many other titles, the studio has only produced one major title, NASCAR 21 ignition, which received a poor reception from critics and players upon release. The company recently announced that its IndyCar game, originally scheduled for release this year, has been delayed to 2024.

Hood, who held senior roles on Codemasters’ F1 titles from 2009 to 2014, had previously worked at Motorsport Games as president until 2022. He replaces long time CEO Dmitry Kozko, who has stepped down from his role.