In late Could, Alex Palou was receiving loads of consideration inside the Components 1 paddock because of his Indy 500 victory. In that case, the highlight was an appreciation of his achievements, as he wasn’t in competition for one of many Cadillac seats.
These rides have now formally gone the way in which of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, however unusually, there have been extra questions on Palou probably making the transfer to F1 since then, following a rumor that Crimson Bull had proven an curiosity in his providers.
RACER understands there’s a important buy-out clause in Palou’s Ganassi contract, and was informed by his supervisor that he had not spoken to anybody at Crimson Bull. Palou’s present boss Chip Ganassi was equally dismissive when he addressed the hypothesis this week.
“I learn that (story) myself,” Ganassi stated. “There was no one quoted in there. I speak to Palou. Palou stated he is by no means talked to anyone, does not know something about it. I talked to his administration. They know nothing about it. I do know nothing about it.I feel it is a clickbait story. Anyone must brush up their investigative journalism.
“Look, let me say this. All people needs a driver that everyone else needs to have. Which means you have got one thing that is actually helpful. Do I feel Components 1’s the most important risk? You already know what I feel the most important risk is, the most important risk is ourselves, every of us. Every of us is our greatest risk.
“I work to create the very best surroundings for our folks. It is the identical for our drivers. I work to present them the very best surroundings. That is all I understand how to do. It appears to be working. Like I stated, Alex had a chance to depart and he did not. I do not know what else to inform you. I take him at his phrase when he says he likes it right here and he is having a good time.”
When requested in regards to the hyperlinks from the F1 facet, a Crimson Bull crew spokesperson stated there was “no reality in any respect” in them, however Spanish media had been notably eager to ask about Palou’s potential means at a extra established crew, slightly than a brand new start-up.
“It’s a problem for certain,” Fernando Alonso stated. “There are well-established drivers and groups right here and circuits and these type of issues, however he has the expertise and he has the extent to adapt in a short time.
“Finally, it should rely on which automobile you have got. In case you are in the back of the grid, it appears that you’re not adapting to the class and you’re fighting sure issues and also you make extra errors since you attempt to overcome these, you overdrive generally. And if you’re in a quick automobile, the whole lot is a bit bit simpler.
“I do not know. I feel for certain he’s a Components 1-level (driver) and if he has the possibility, I will probably be very completely satisfied for him.”
After Palou’s Indy 500 success, Carlos Sainz stated he was intrigued to see how Palou would fare in F1 equipment. However amid the most recent mentions of the four-time IndyCar champion’s title, Sainz was extra cautious about judging how he would carry out at Crimson Bull.
“I can solely say what I see within the automobile is that he is doing an unimaginable job,” Sainz stated. “Then F1 is a very totally different monster, each as a driver as a automobile. However as a formulation (it) could be very totally different from anything, so it is inconceivable to foretell how good he can be in Components 1.
“I can solely say that within the automobile he is simply doing unimaginable issues. He should be doing issues actually, rather well to dominate the way in which he is dominating in such a aggressive class.”
Regardless of each Alonso and Sainz warning of the problem of switching classes, there was an admission from the latter that the change laws in 2026 provide a chance for a extra degree enjoying discipline for an IndyCar driver.
“It is positively higher to return when it is a reset for everybody,” Sainz added. “It is a good time to hitch the sphere since you’ve seen it this yr how powerful it has been for teammates who’ve already been in F1, when you have got a brand new automobile or a brand new crew how troublesome it’s to adapt.
“Not a lot due to how troublesome the automobile is to drive or how totally different it’s, however as a result of your teammate is aware of the automobile rather well, is aware of the crew rather well, and it is your reference and it’s important to at the very least match that.
“It is troublesome to do this after they have already got three or 4 years of expertise with that automobile and that crew, to leap in right away and match that. Positively when there is a regulation change all that, or half of that, goes away and the teammate solely is aware of the folks however does not know the automobile, does not know the setup, does not know the tires, does not know the engine.
“It is a greater reset for certain, so it might be a superb time to hitch F1 in the event you come from the surface as a result of at the very least the whole lot is new. And likewise most likely subsequent yr’s automobiles will probably be slower, extra demanding mentally perhaps however much less bodily.”
One driver supervisor felt that the most recent rumor might have been planted by IndyCar to get F1 speaking up its champion on the finish of a dominant season, and if that idea really was the case, then it actually labored. As a result of on this event, it wasn’t simply the Spanish drivers getting questioned about Palou. Max Verstappen was additionally included within the dialog at his residence race.
“It is at all times so troublesome to say,” Verstappen stated. “I do know Alex already from go-karting occasions, and I feel what he’s reaching in IndyCar is unimaginable.
“It is so spectacular to see, however it’s inconceivable to understand how folks will do in F1 and it’s the identical query the opposite method spherical – how would you do in IndyCar? You don’t have any thought. So, for me, it’s a little bit of a waste of time to attempt to debate that.
“I’m simply so completely satisfied to see him doing so properly in IndyCar and the way in which he is been dominating.”
As soon as once more, excessive reward certainly for a driver who’s placing collectively a outstanding run of success in IndyCar. Simply do not count on to see him in a Crimson Bull subsequent yr.
