LONG BEACH, Calif. – Regardless of two extra seats opening up in Components 1 — a sequence for greater than a yr — says his slightly ambivalent mindset to the head of motorsports has not modified, because the Chip Ganassi Racing driver .
“No, by no means. It hasn’t modified something,” Palou instructed IndyStar on Friday, when requested if Cadillac F1’s approval for a brand new two-car growth staff to debut in 2026 had impressed any change of coronary heart in his pursuit of the premier world racing sequence. Late final summer season, the Spaniard, Palou instructed IndyStar, “I’m not making an attempt to go. I attempted. I acquired a small style, and it was enjoyable, and I realized, but it surely didn’t occur, so I’m good.”
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Palou shared an analogous sentiment Friday. “I believe all people is aware of I attempted to pursue that three or 4 years in the past, but it surely’s not the main target, and there’s been no dialogue,” he mentioned. When requested extra straight if he’d in any respect think about the chance if officers at TWG Motorsports — together with and — approached him and/or his supervisor Roger Yasukawa this yr, Palou declined to opine both means. “No matter I say might be problematic for me,” he mentioned. “If I say I’m with out that but current, I’ll get in hassle, and if I say I’m not , I may get in hassle.”
How’s anybody going to beat Alex Palou?:
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 28: Alex Palou, driver of the #10 DHL Group Ganassi Honda poses throughout INDYCAR Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg throughout on February 28, 2025 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photograph by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/Getty Photographs)
Alex Palou ‘pulling for’ Colton Herta to get F1 alternative
Final summer season, IndyStar reported Palou’s present 3-year contract with Chip Ganassi Racing that started together with his championship-winning 2024 marketing campaign — one struck within the wake of alerting he wouldn’t be becoming a member of this system after signing a deal first in the summertime of 2022 (which led to authorized proceedings triggered by CGR) after which within the fall of 2022 — consists of an ‘out-clause’ that will permit him to bolt from IndyCar for a possibility in F1, ought to one be provided. In accordance with a sequence supply, that provision would require a buyout of $1.5 million paid to Ganassi.
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As he’s presently being the staff says it’s incurred as a consequence of , there’s purpose to surprise if Ganassi, Palou’s staff proprietor of 5 years, could also be positioned to assist his three-time champion driver financially, ought to the trial scheduled for later this yr go away Palou required to pay any sizable sum to McLaren Racing, and whether or not that theoretical help may evaporate, ought to Palou push to depart the staff for his childhood F1 desires but once more.
Will Herta drive for Cadillac F1?:
“I believe there’s an individual within the sequence that’s trying very nicely for that seat, and I’ll be pulling for him for certain,” Palou mentioned coyly Friday, presumed to be referring to final yr’s championship runner-up , who has twice pursued his personal F1 desires throughout his IndyCar profession with Andretti World, the staff that can be owned by TWG World and run by TWG Motorsports.
Already twice in 2025, Herta has addressed the long-held presumptions, offered he secures an excellent license on the finish of this yr (requiring a 4th-place championship end or Fifth-place together with participation in a single F1 observe session in 2025), he could be shifted inside the TWG Motorsports steady to Cadillac F1, with the intention to deliver a younger, speedy, battle-tested American driver onto the roster of F1’s wholly American staff.
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‘Alex Palou allow us to down’:
However Herta has mentioned any such championship end this yr . “I’d have to offer it actual, severe thought. For me, it’s not like, ‘Oh, F1!’” . “I’d be leaving an awesome group of those that I actually like working with right here.
“It’s not a straightforward resolution to say, ‘Oh, yeah, see you guys later.’ I’d be giving up a possibility of perhaps by no means working with these guys once more.”
Towriss, for one, was happy to listen to of his lead IndyCar title contender’s focus and dedication towards the duty at hand. “I believe it reveals you precisely how centered he’s in IndyCar, and I like that reply,” he mentioned. “No matter occurs, occurs. From my standpoint, I’m pleased for Colton to race wherever he desires to race, if he’s at a spot the place that choice in on the desk.
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“He’s a generational expertise, and we simply need to showcase it. He nonetheless hasn’t had the breakout yr I believe he’s able to, in order that’s what I would like for this yr, and when that occurs, there can be lots to speak about. However he’s sensible to not let F1 turn out to be a distraction.”
After a three-win IndyCar season in 2024, all three of them coming from veteran driver Pato O’Ward (pictured), Arrow McLaren’s staff roster underwent yet one more important overhaul in hopes of lastly remodeling this system into a real title contender.
Pato O’Ward on Cadillac F1: ‘I am undoubtedly answering their name’
However there’s one driver among the many seven in IndyCar who already holds or is believed to be eligible to carry an FIA tremendous license who is prepared and prepared to throw his hat within the ring for one among Cadillac F1’s two open seats: Pato O’Ward. The Arrow McLaren IndyCar driver reached the 40-point threshold for an excellent license following his 4th-place championship end in 2023 after which grew to become a reserve driver for McLaren F1 within the wake of .
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With three race weekend observe classes, together with quite a few take a look at days and simulator classes, carried out for McLaren lately, the 2024 World Constructor Champions have managed to offer even a small outlet for the younger Mexican driver’s long-held F1 desires. However the British staff’s lineup, made up of 2024 World Drivers Championship runner-up Lando Norris and three-time grand prix-winner Oscar Piastri, is believed to be locked-in till not less than 2027, with McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown lengthy of the idea he has the strongest driver lineup in F1.
So if O’Ward, who turns 26 subsequent month, is to have any shot at pursuing F1, he says he’s acknowledged he might very nicely must look elsewhere — one thing would permit, in keeping with a supply, .
Courtroom paperwork:
“I might nonetheless like to be in F1, and it doesn’t must be with McLaren,” O’Ward instructed IndyStar earlier this week. “Zak is aware of it’s at all times been my dream, and it’s one thing I’d like to test off my checklist and simply give a attempt. It’s by no means been a doubt of if I can do it. It’s simply, like, is that chance going to come back about on the proper time? I don’t have perpetually. There’s at all times going to be youthful guys.”
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O’Ward mentioned officers from Cadillac F1 are but to achieve out to him about such a possibility for subsequent yr, however not solely would he welcome the dialog, however he expects one to happen in some unspecified time in the future.
“They haven’t reached out, but when they do, I’m undoubtedly answering their name. That curiosity hasn’t actually been proven from their aspect, however I’m certain it most likely can be a dialog that can be had,” O’Ward instructed IndyStar. “However I’d like to, man. And I’m (driving a Chevy-powered IndyCar) proper now. Similar household.
“I’d like to win an Indy 500 with Chevy. I’d like to win an IndyCar championship with Chevy and McLaren, after which I’d like to sort out F1 with McLaren or Cadillac. Having a superb alternative there, if the automotive is considerably first rate, hopefully I’d be capable of present some good issues. Possibly I can present all people what they’ve been lacking out on.”
