“There’s been nothing, nothing at all. We have heard nothing from anyone,” said Alex Palou, his strong words emphasizing how seriously he takes this. “The only thing I’ve heard was it was a manager for some other driver in IndyCar who would like to have my seat who said it to start something.”
Palou is referring to rumors that he’s interested in signing with Red Bull’s Formula 1 (F1) team. He’s currently racing for Chip Ganassi Racing in IndyCar, quite successfully as well. Rumors continue to persist that Palou is looking to make a change, but he categorically denied those reports in a statement given to the AP, saying Red Bull hasn’t even reached out to him or his management.
“I’m not 22,” Palou said. “You cannot go to F1 as a rookie at 29 and ask for two years to learn the track and learn the car and ask them to wait for you to start to perform. You need to go there and perform immediately. I don’t think I am missing out on anything not going to F1.”
Alex Palou’s Complicated History with F1
Gregory Shamus/GettyINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MAY 25: Indianapolis 500 winner Alex Palou reacts during the second quarter between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
This isn’t the first time Palou has been connected to an F1 team. The Spanish driver is currently embroiled in an ongoing legal battle over a previous contract with an F1 team, McLaren Racing. Back in 2022, he signed with McLaren while still with Ganassi, the idea being he’d join their IndyCar team and have a chance to join their F1 team in the future.
Ganassi protested, and a mediator decided that Palou could work for McLaren while still racing for Ganassi in 2023, fully joining McLaren in 2024. However, Palou later changed his mind, backing out of the McLaren deal and choosing instead to stay with Ganassi. As a result, McLaren is currently suing him for upwards of $30 million for breach of contract.
” [F1] is not calling me anymore,” Palou said back in May. “I don’t think they’re having as much fun as I’m having here. I don’t see people celebrating with their wives and their kids as much as we do. I don’t see them hanging in the bus lot or having dinner with their mechanics. I only enjoy driving and having fun and being with my people, so I think F1 is the total opposite.”
“I think maybe if I had a different experience from 2022, then I would have a different view,” he said on Tuesday. “I feel like I got my shot and it didn’t work. And I’m just lucky that I could still get back to the best IndyCar team to win championships and the 500.”
Alex Palou is Dominating the IndyCar Circuit
Speaking of winning championships, Palou has done just that with Ganassi. He’s already wrapped up his fourth IndyCar title in five seasons, winning eight races this year including the Indy 500.
Palou has been nothing short of dominant on the IndyCar circuit, and it makes sense why he wouldn’t be interested in moving on to a different one. He insists that chapter has closed, and reaffirmed his commitment to Ganassi and IndyCar. The season wraps up today in Nashville, where Palou has a chance to win his ninth race of the season.
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