IndyCar champ Alex Palou debunks Ganassi’s return announcement, says he’ll join McLaren in 2023
INDIANAPOLIS – Alex PalouTheir top priority remains to win a second consecutive IndyCar championship.
But his future after this year looks bleak.
Shortly after Chip Ganassi Racing announced on Tuesday that they would be making a team selection to keep the Spaniard star next season, Palou and Arrow McLaren SP said they had agreed a deal for the year. 2023.
“I recently learned from the media that this afternoon, without my approval, Chip Ganassi Racing issued a press release announcing that I will be driving with the CGR in 2023,” said Palou wrote on Twitter. “Even more surprising is that CGR’s release includes a ‘citation’ that was not submitted by me. I do not author or approve the citation. As I recently informed CGR, for reasons Personally, I have no intention of continuing with the team after 2022.”
It was a strange turn in a big week for the McLaren team.
Colton HertaAmerican young star, team owner Michael Andretti hopes to put on a Formula One car, having spent Monday and Tuesday testing for McLaren in Portimao, Portugal.
Then Ganassi’s team made the announcement.
“Alex’s record speaks for itself,” Ganassi said in the press release. “He’s a proven champion and one of the most formidable riders in the world. We’re excited to continue working together.”
One side, at least, is looking forward to staying together.
Palou rose to stardom last season by becoming the first Spaniard to win the IndyCar . title at the same time giving Ganassi his 14th crown. Palou also did not disappoint this year, having 4 times in the top 5 and 7 places in the top 10 in the first 9 races.
Although he has not won a race, Palou is 4th in the rankings, 35 points behind the Indianapolis 500 champion and his teammates. Marcus Ericsson heading into the race on Sunday in Toronto.
“It’s a great feeling to know I will continue to work with Chip Ganassi Racing next season,” Ganassi’s press release quoted Palou as saying. “The team has welcomed me with open arms since Day One and I am delighted to continue working with Chip, [managing director] Mike Hull, the people in the NTT Data Car No. 10, and everyone in the organization. The goals remain the same and we will continue to work relentlessly to achieve them. “
Soon after, Palou said he had other plans.
Although the 25-year-old has 12 top-three finishes in 25 races since joining CGR, he seems ready for a change.
“Tonight’s unfortunate events aside, I have great respect for the CGR team and look forward to finishing this season together strong,” Palou wrote.
McLaren has also released a statement saying Palou will serve as a test driver for its F1 team in addition to his full-time IndyCar duties.
If Palou changes teams, it will mark the second major addition to McLaren in less than two months. Alexander Rossi2016 Indy 500 winner, announced in June that he would also be joining McLaren.
“We’ve always said we want the best talent at McLaren, and it’s exciting to be able to bring Alex in [Palou] on that list,” said McLaren CEO Zac Brown. Alex is an incredibly talented driver who has won every series he has entered and I am delighted to welcome him to the McLaren family. “
