(CGR) on the finish of the present season.
The transfer marks the tip of an period for the game and positions the 29-year-old Spaniard because the de facto chief and most tenured driver at CGR heading into the 2027 season.
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Earlier this week, CGR confirmed that Dixon will exit the group after a legendary 24-year tenure. Palou joined the group in 2021, instantly following Dixon’s sixth and most up-to-date IndyCar title in 2020.
The upcoming transition highlights an enormous shift for the championship-winning group.
Palou, 29, is poised to turn into the group’s veteran anchor and de facto chief for the 2027 marketing campaign. He succeeds Dixon, who leaves behind an unparalleled legacy with the group that features six collection championships, and 58 victories, together with a win on the 2008 Indianapolis 500.
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“I’d not be right here right now with out him”Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing
Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing
Following opening follow for this weekend’s IndyCar spherical at Mid-Ohio Sports activities Automobile Course, the place Palou was third-fastest, he shared his personal ideas on Dixon’s departure.
“Yeah, it is unhappy,” Palou stated. “It is unhappy due to what he has completed for the group, for everyone at Chip Ganassi Racing. I’ve not been for the reason that starting, clearly, however I do know I’d not be right here right now with out him and likewise with the outcomes I had. It is big-time resulting from him.
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“Very unhappy, however on the identical time, it is okay. It is simply a part of life. It is a part of the game. I want him one of the best, truthfully. I’ll attempt to carry on studying as a lot as I can all through the races that we nonetheless have.”
With Dixon’s departure, Palou will undeniably turn into the benchmark driver at Ganassi. Nonetheless, he dismissed the concept that his latest championship dominance may make him an intimidating teammate for whoever steps into the vacant #9 CGR seat.
“No, I believe it’s… Once I had the chance to be teammates with Scott, it was one of the best factor that would have ever occurred to me,” Palou stated. “First, you haven’t any stress since you’re going in opposition to one of the best. You possibly can study as a lot as you possibly can. I believe a teammate that’s my teammate can see every little thing that I do and may study as a lot as he desires from me, can drive the identical automobile that I drive.
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“I believe it is truly a chance that lots of people need. They at all times wish to examine themselves or drive the identical automobile than the individual that is profitable.”
Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
Whereas Dixon has lengthy been thought-about the guts and soul of the CGR group, Palou doesn’t anticipate the structural day-to-day operations to vary drastically when he takes over because the veteran anchor. He emphasised that Ganassi has at all times maintained an egalitarian atmosphere amongst its drivers.
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“The way in which that this group operates, it is very open,” Palou stated. “Each single driver has the identical quantity of claiming, for instance. Since day one I had the identical quantity of claiming as Scott… I’ve by no means felt like there was a frontrunner on, like, guiding the group.”
Palou famous his working relationships with present CGR drivers like , together with technical alliance teammates at , , and , in how everybody has an equal voice.
“There’s been no time that one driver had extra saying or extra significance than every other, and I believe it will be the identical for the long run,” Palou stated.
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As for who will fill the extremely coveted seat Dixon is forsaking for a brand new IndyCar problem, Palou insisted he has no enter in group proprietor Chip Ganassi’s choice and prefers it that manner.
“Actually, I don’t care, and I’ve zero saying about it,” Palou said. “Folks assume that we get extra saying than what we truly do. However I’d not wish to have any saying on that.”
No matter whether or not the group opts for an skilled veteran or a younger up-and-comer, Palou’s standards for a teammate stays easy: pace.
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“As a driver, you at all times need the quickest driver in the identical equipment as you,” Palou stated. “You wish to see what one of the best drivers can do. You wish to study from them. You assume which you could beat them when they’re with an equal equipment to you. I believe no matter Chip and the group decides would be the finest choice, clearly.”
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