Alex Palou will remain involved with Chip Ganassi Racing next season in a deal that allows the one-time IndyCar champion to test Formula One with McLaren, and Felix Rosenqvist will keep his seat in a pair of decisions Wednesday for a wild silly season.
Palou and Ganassi have been feuding since July when the team said they had chosen the 2023 option in the Spaniard’s contract. Palou countered Ganassi’s request and said he would move to McLaren Racing.
Ganassi sued, and the parties used mediation and the courts to determine which team will claim Palou next year. The first signs that a solution was near came on Sunday at the season finale at Laguna Seca Circuit, where Palou won the race and then elusive about his contract situation how is going on.
He said he is expected to speak with team owner Chip Ganassi and will have an answer very soon. It came Wednesday when he tweeted he landed the number 10 driving deal for the third consecutive season.
Palou said he is grateful Ganassi will allow him to “pursue F1 testing” with McLaren beyond his IndyCar commitment.
I am pleased to announce that @CGRTeams and I have come to an agreement and I will be back in the number 10 car next season!
Looking forward to a BIG 2023! pic.twitter.com/wIhaPdYj9q
– Alex Palou Montalbo (@AlexPalou) September 14, 2022
I’m grateful for that too @CGRTeams will allow me to pursue F1 testing with @ McLarenF1 in addition to my INDYCAR commitment.
– Alex Palou Montalbo (@AlexPalou) September 14, 2022
Thank you to Chip, Mike, and the entire team for being so willing to work together and help support both the team and my personal goals throughout this process.
– Alex Palou Montalbo (@AlexPalou) September 14, 2022
Minutes after Palou’s announcement, McLaren said Rosenqvist would return to 7th place at IndyCar next season. The Swedes have been in limbo for months. He has agreed a deal with McLaren to move to the new Formula E team next season if there is no place for him at IndyCar.
The Palou saga is McLaren’s planning for its three-car IndyCar line-up and Rosenqvist has decided it doesn’t want to switch to Formula E. McLaren has held the IndyCar option on Rosenqvist until the end of September and, as the Palou affair continues, will forced to release him to sign with another team or leave the Palou mess and keep Rosenqvist.
Rosenqvist said: “There is no better way to start the season than with this news. “I love this team and I’m delighted to continue working with all the incredible people I’ve known over the past two seasons.”
The group will expand next year to add a third car for Alexander Rossiand Rosenqvist and Pato O’Ward have grown very close in their two seasons as McLaren team-mates.
“With everything the team has, the continued relationship with Pato and the addition of Alex Rossi, we will deliver the A-grade game for 2023,” said Rosenqvist. “It’s going to be the most exciting season for me so far.”
