motor sports | Indycar | McLaren recruits Palou and should confirm it in IndyCar

It’s an amazing situation that we witnessed last night in IndyCar, with the confirmation of the same driver by two teams. It was first Chip Ganassi Racing who confirmed that Alex Palou would remain in its line-up for another year, alongside Scott Dixon, Marcus Ericsson and Jimmie Johnson.

But three hours later, McLaren in turn announced the signing of Alex Palou, adding him to its roster of drivers without officially announcing his destination. The Spaniard, reigning IndyCar champion, should however remain in the discipline.

He would then complete a trio of drivers alongside Pato O’Ward and Alexander Rossi, showing McLaren’s ambitions. Felix Rosenqvist had also been confirmed by McLaren, without his destination being formalized.

The team had explained that the Swede would go either to IndyCar or to Formula E, where he has already driven. This decision was certainly dependent on the outcome of the negotiations with Palou, and Rosenqvist should therefore go to Formula E.

Palou attacks Chip Ganassi Racing

On social media, Alex Palou has taken aim at Chip Ganassi Racing for an announcement which he says is not legal. It remains to be seen if the team will decide to fight in court, and if they can afford it, but the Spaniard has clearly expressed his disagreement and his dissatisfaction with the team with which he must end the season.

“I recently learned from the media that this afternoon, without my approval, Chip Ganassi Racing issued a press release announcing that I will be racing with CGR in 2023” Palou explains.

« Even more surprising is that the CGR release included a ‘quote’ that did not come from me. I did not endorse this press release and did not write or endorse this quote. « 

« As I recently informed CGR, for personal reasons I do not intend to continue with the team after 2022. Apart from tonight’s unfortunate events, I have a great deal of respect for the CGR team, and I look forward to finishing this season strong together. »