Palou: “Only one driver has won the 500 Miles and Le Mans in the same year, the possibility is there”

Alex Palou He assured that he dreams of the possibility of signing a double in Indianapolis 500 and 24 Hours of Le Mansafter his team, Chip Ganassi, reported Monday that the reigning IndyCar champion will compete in the iconic French race with Cadillac.

“Only one driver has done it (AJ Foyt)“We still have a lot of dreams to win the 500 miles and Le Mans in the same year, but the possibility is there, it will be a good year,” declared Palou in an interview with EFE.

In anticipation of Le Mans, he had to miss the first few days of the event as both he and his teammate Scott Dixon had to compete in Indycar.

“We didn’t prepare as much as we would have liked, because the week before I had a race. While everyone is there, we miss a week of training. But later in the week we will be there and we will try to give our best,” he commented.

The Spanish driver showed his ambition before starting his assault on the Indycar title this coming March 10 in St. Pete, Florida, to mark his third championship and second in a row.

The main challenge is to properly manage a calendar full of tests in the first two months.

“We will have eleven consecutive weeks of racing between Le Mans and IndycarObviously it will be difficult, but something good at the same time and an opportunity that, as a driver, I couldn’t ask for anything more,” he said.

Palou continues to make dreams come true behind the wheel. After winning two Indycar championships and a chance to win at Indianapolis, the most important endurance test in the world today presents itself as a challenge.

“It’s something that makes me happy.“, to have the opportunities to not only be one hundred percent dedicated to Indycar, but to continue doing some historic races as valuable as the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” he said.

For someone who used to compete and win so far from his country, being able to do it this time with Spain so close gives him even more motivation.

“It’s almost here, it’s like I’m running home. I’ve never done it, it’s a race I follow every year and I’m excited to try to win it in the top category,” he said.

After Le Mans, the third classic event that will remain competitive is the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix, something that seems more complicated, but Palou, in a joking tone, does not rule out the future: “The thing in Monaco is will see, that would be nice, but it’s not something I have in mind right now.

Palou will compete in the car number two, blue, which has already achieved third place in the 2023 edition, and will work with two drivers who already know what it’s like to win at Le Mans, Earl Bamber and Alex Lynn .

The most prestigious endurance race will be held on June 15 and 16 at the Circuit de la Sarthe, in France.