First Laps in a McLaren, with RWE
A dream come true: my first McLaren Trophy weekend, with the reigning Pro-Pro champions, driving both races solo. Damaged steering cost us a podium in Race 1, and we came home P4 and P5 in a very decent first start in the Am category.
Some weekends you look forward to for years. This was one of them: my first race in the SRO McLaren Trophy, with RaceWerkz Engineering (RWE), last season's Pro-Pro champions.
It came with a milestone of its own, getting rated by the FIA, and with the chance to drive a car I'd only dreamed about. Normally the McLaren Trophy cars are shared by two drivers. This weekend I drove both races myself.
Stepping up
Jumping into this type of car is intense. Everything happens faster: the braking, the speed through the corners, the decisions. There's no easing into it, either. From the first laps the racing was close, with battles all around the field, and you learn very quickly or you get left behind.
“A dream come true. First time in the McLaren, first time with RWE, and racing for position from the very first lap.”
— Alex PollardRace 1: a podium slips away
It was a very hot day, the kind that tests the driver as much as the car, especially without a co-driver to hand over to. We were running in P3 when the steering was damaged, and with the car no longer doing what I asked, holding on to the podium wasn't possible. We brought it home in P4.
Race 2: fighting all the way
The next day was all about racing. Lots of battles, lots of learning, and a clean run to P5.
P4 and P5 on debut, driving both races solo, in a car this demanding. Overall, a very decent first start in the Am category, and a clear picture of where we can find more. Huge thanks to RWE for the car, the support and the trust.
The first McLaren weekend is done, and the next one comes on a bigger stage: the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix.