IndyCar Series leader Alex Palou insists that his results this year will not determine which car he is racing in 2024, whether that be in North America or in Formula 1.
The 2021 IndyCar champion has won three of the last four races and is now 74 points clear at the top of the table, the equivalent of more than a full standard event (54 points, including bonuses for pole position and leading).
He currently drives for Chip Ganassi Racing, where he remained after a protracted and bizarre contract dispute which saw both that squad and McLaren Racing lay claims to his services last year.
However, Palou is in the last year of his current deal with Ganassi and it is considered likely that he will leave at season’s end.
McLaren’s IndyCar team is the most obvious alternative, given the Spaniard is currently one of its F1 reserve drivers, although a race seat in the world championship has not been ruled out.
However, he played down suggestions that what he achieves this year will affect where he drives next year.
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“I don’t really think so,” said Palou, who tested with McLaren’s F1 team just this month at the Hungaroring.
“Honestly, I don’t think that by winning more races we will get one seat or the other seat, one seat in F1. I don’t think getting different results will affect our season for next year, honestly.
“I think already what we did in ’21 was a big accomplishment that I’m really happy of, winning the first championship in my second season in IndyCar.
“I don’t think that what we’re doing this year… It’s very different from what we did in ’21. Yeah, I don’t think it’s going to change much.”
The 26-year-old’s response could be interpreted on multiple levels.
It may be a comment on his chances of switching to F1 proper, or it may speak to suggestions that his desire to leave Ganassi is wavering.
He hinted at the possibility after his Detroit victory, when asked if Ganassi was doing enough to convince him to stay.
“Absolutely, we’re doing great, so…” replied Palou, before pausing.
“Yeah, with the experience that obviously I had put myself into last year, I’m not going to comment [on] anything before I announce directly. I learned that from last year,” he added.
“Obviously yeah, I mean, as I said, we had great race cars every weekend. We had chances to win every weekend. Yeah, we’ll keep it going.”
Event 9 of the 2023 IndyCar Series takes place this weekend at Mid-Ohio.
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