Speculation about the future of Alex Palou is not something that is exactly new to fans of IndyCar.
The Spanish driver dropped a bombshell in July last year when he announced on social media that he would be joining Arrow McLaren for the 2023 season. That had come just hours after Chip Ganassi Racing had confirmed him for the following campaign.
Ultimately a resolution was found as Palou stayed at CGR but signed for McLaren as a reserve driver at selected events in F1. He’s also had multiple opportunities at testing F1 machinery with the Woking-based team.
In spite of heading for a second championship in three seasons with CGR, Palou looks set to move to Arrow McLaren next year no matter what. Unless he gets an opportunity in F1, that is.
Such is his dominance this year with three wins in the last four and a 74-point championship lead in a series that is so tight competitive, rumours are swirling about the 26-year-old looking for an F1 seat next year.
Speaking during a media session previewing this weekend’s race at Mid-Ohio that included Pit Debrief, Palou talked about the testing he has done in McLaren’s F1 cars and if it has helped him develop as a driver. The 2021 IndyCar champion also ran in FP1 at COTA for the Woking-based team last year during the US GP weekend.
“I don’t know. It’s always tough to say. I would say yes for what I feel. I think it’s always great when you can, as a driver, be driving whatever that has four wheels and an engine (smiling), 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.
“They are very picky on the way you drive obviously. They are pushing you on how to drive, which is really good in terms of driver development honestly. It’s like you go there and they are teaching you how to brake. It’s great, especially not being too familiar with the car, which I’m still learning how to drive it properly. It’s great for pushing myself.
“Then obviously it changes a lot the way I drive, you have to 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.
“Yeah, it’s been working so far. I love it. Yeah, I don’t expect having any more testing before our season ends. But, yeah, it’s always good to have some track time.”
Pit Debrief then asked the Spanish driver if the feeling of driving in Formula 1 for a midfield or backmarker team would exceed fighting for wins and championships in IndyCar.
“No. I mean, I would say it’s a different feeling obviously. Obviously everybody wants to win whatever sport you are. You know that in F1 basically you need to be in one or maximum two teams to be able to win, otherwise you’re fighting just for points or P15, whatever.
“It’s a different mindset. I would just say that the beauty of INDYCAR is that everybody can win because you have the same tools as everybody. In F1, maybe the beauty, it’s different. It’s just that you are in the pinnacle of motorsport, you’re developing a car together with a big factory. It’s just a different mentality, I would say.
“I wouldn’t say one there’s more satisfaction than the other. Obviously the best is to try to win every weekend. That’s how you get happier and more satisfaction. As you said, everybody knows in F1 it’s not possible for everybody.”
Photo Credit: McLaren Racing
