Where I say, I say, I say Alex Palou

Career is business and there is little room for sentiment here. Teams value their drivers for results or money. Why shouldn’t pilots do this? In a world so expensive, so complicated, full of sharks ready to bite you at the slightest bite and as hard to access as a machine, teams usually have the upper hand. Little hearts and lots of pasta. How many cases do you know of pilots who deserved a seat and lost it due to lack of money? In such a world, the pilot can be strong with his hands, though not always. Yes, it is possible to do it in IndyCar, a competition where quality is more important than F1. In this contest, the pilot can take that pan and turn the tables in his favor. As teams do, everyone must look out for their own interests and their future. And Alex Palou did just thatin a highly criticized movement, which will generate many detractors, but shows, again, a character and personality that there will never be another.

In the summer of 2022, the man from Sant Antoni de Vilamajor (Barcelona) has already starred in a big soap opera. Chip Ganassi, the team where he was declared IndyCar champion, announced his renewal. Minutes later, Palou denied that information to the networks and announced his signing for McLaren. The contractual mess was intense, but after tense weeks of waiting, the result was the best for Alex: he continued with Chip Ganassi with a car that allowed him to fight for the IndyCar title in 2023 (he is now the leader and is about to achieve his second crown) and at the same time he became a tester for McLaren in F1.

Palou was able to take advantage of the opportunity in several F1 tests where he showed his quality, he participated in an F1 Free Practice 1 in Austin in 2022 and everything indicated that he signed to join McLaren to compete in IndyCar from 2024 pending an F1 opportunity wearing orange. But a year later, another script twist occurred. Zak Brown, McLaren boss, announced to his employees that Palou would not honor his contract and did not want to join McLaren. Chip Ganassi responded and marked the ground claiming that Palou is his and the representation agency that manages his career, Monaco Increase Management announced its separation from the 26-year-old pilot.

Because?

Alex will explain himself at the end of this campaign, but until then, it’s possible to guess some of his possible motives. McLaren has two future F1 drivers: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Alex would only have a chance in F1 if one of them left, as a second option, while driving in IndyCar for a McLaren that is not a champion team. On the contrary, follows on Chip Ganassi Palou makes sure he has a winning car in the best group of the tournament to get more titleshistorical records and his dream: a victory in Indianapolis 500. And without signing for McLaren, You may be open to receiving offers from any F1 team, expanding your options. Had he signed for McLaren, he would have set his sights solely on the orange team’s two-seater in F1. Now anyone who loves him can tempt him. You can continue to win while waiting for an opportunity in F1 that if it doesn’t come you won’t worry either, because you will continue to compete and fight for victories in the United States.

And the matter goes further: It’s Roger Yasukawawhich has been the key to get him from Japanese Super Formula in IndyCar, is again its highest representative. Roger has an important relationship sling bag, a firm that is clear about its future with Aston Martin from 2026 in F1. Perhaps another option could open up there as Alex continues to be an icon for the Japanese firm in the United States as well Chip Ganassi.

ability to make decisions

McLaren terminated the contract Riccardo in 2022 due to lack of performance and not thinking about feelings. Duck O’WardThe McLaren IndyCar driver has said that Zak Brown promised him a promotion to F1 and he repeated the same promise to others without keeping it. Then, he chose to ‘swipe’ Alpine for his talent: Oscar Piastri. He doesn’t care that the French team made a big investment in the young Australian. Now he is complaining about something similar: he lost a talent in which they invested to try in an F1, a competition in which they also cannot promise him anything for the future. Teams are emotionless. Neither did the pilot it must have them if there is no lasting and important link. What is important is the ability to decide. Few pilots have it. Alex, yes. Dangerous? That’s the business.

Will Palou make his decision?

Oscar Piastri also left Alpine in turmoil when he invested a lot of money in his training, but only a few months later no one judged him for this and only for his riding. But let’s go further: Does anyone blame Michael Schumacher for leaving Jordan after his debut race to go to Benneton with Briatore? for a contract-making trick with Jordan by his agent Willi Webber? nobody. Jordan gave him the chance to debut in F1 and make a name for himself, and the following week he was at Benneton. The hands write the history of every pilot. Your results. Their successes. That’s what lasts.