Alex Palou transferred to McLaren Racing, but in which discipline?

The fashion for “drama” dear to social networks has arrived with a bang in IndyCar. On the evening of Tuesday July 12, Alex Palou found himself at the heart of an unforeseen mish-mash concerning his future in the North American championship.

Initially, his current team Chip Ganassi Racing announced that it had activated the option to extend his contract for the 2023 season. The 2021 IndyCar champion therefore had to continue his career within the team led by Chip Ganassi , information which confirmed the rumors in the corridors concerning a status quo in the CGR formation. “Alex’s track record speaks for itself”, declared the team owner in a first press release. “He is a proven champion and one of the most formidable drivers in the world. We are very happy to continue working together. »

Even Alex Palou was satisfied with this renewed partnership. “It’s a great feeling knowing that I will be back with Chip Ganassi Racing next season. The team welcomed me with open arms from day one, and I'm excited to continue working with Chip, Mike Hull and everyone within the organization. The goals remain the same and we will continue to work tirelessly to achieve them. »

Chip Ganassi Racing announced today that the team has exercised its option to extend @AlexPalou through the 2023 season.

"Alex's track record speaks for itself. He's a proven champion and one of the most formidable drivers in the world." – @GanassiChiphttps://t.co/PTIcqIp37N pic.twitter.com/9coZ12KhOh

- Chip Ganassi Racing (@CGRTeams) July 12, 2022

Yes, but there you go. A few hours after this publication, the Spanish pilot reacted on Twitter in an unexpected way. “I recently learned through the media that this afternoon, without my agreement, Chip Ganassi Racing issued a press release announcing that I would drive with CGR in 2023, he wrote. Even more surprising, the CGR press release included a quote that did not come from me. I did not approve this press release, and I did not author or approve this quote.

As I recently informed CGR, for personal reasons I do not intend to continue with the team beyond 2022. Aside from tonight's unfortunate events, I have great respect for the CGR team and I look forward to finishing this season strong together. »

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I have recently learned from the media that this afternoon, without my approval, Chip Ganassi Racing issued a press release announcing that I would be driving with CGR in 2023. Even more surprising was that CGR's release included a “quote” which did not come from me.

— Alex Palou Montalbo (@AlexPalou) July 12, 2022

Atmosphere ! alex palou publicly disapproved of his own employer's announcement. That's not all. A few more minutes and this time it's Mclaren racing who delivers the blow by announcing the recruitment of Alex Palou for 2023!

“I am happy to add Alex Palou to the McLaren Racing family, said Zak Brown, CEO of the brand. This is a fantastic addition to our already phenomenal line-up. » However, McLaren has not confirmed in which championship Alex Palou will play. Extreme E? It's more than unlikely. IndyCar? It's already more serious. Formula 1 ? Let's not move too quickly because several candidates are knocking on the door.

McLaren Racing has in fact adopted a global strategy consisting of signing a host of drivers, without really knowing where to place them. This makes it possible to secure the services of the best competitors before other teams turn their attention to them. The drivers under contract with McLaren Racing have also agreed to sign for the British brand, rather than for a discipline.

Delighted to bring @AlexPalou into the McLaren Racing family! As the INDYCAR champion, Alex is a fantastic addition to the already phenomenal talent we have in our driver roster. Bring on 2023! 👊 pic.twitter.com/tRh6cQpndo

- Zak Brown (@ZBrownCEO) July 12, 2022

As it currently stands (July 2022), here is the McLaren Racing roster across F1 and IndyCar. Pato O'Ward, once announced to be leaving, finally continued in IndyCar until the end of 2025 with Arrow McLaren SP. Colton Herta, current Andretti representative in IndyCar until the end of 2023, is however part of the 1 F2021 test program at McLaren, just like Pato O'Ward... and Alex Palou.

Let's not forget that Félix Rosenqvist, resident of McLaren Arrow SP since 2021 in IndyCar, accepted a new contract with McLaren in 2023, without Zak Brown specifying whether the Swede would evolve in Formula E or in IndyCar. For its part, Arrow McLaren SP will add a third car in 2023, but there will be no room for all these beautiful people.

In Formula 1, Lando Norris has nothing to worry about since the Englishman is confirmed until 2025. As for Daniel Ricciardo, the former new star of Red Bull et Renault is no longer in the odor of sanctity following a series of poor performances since his arrival at McLaren in 2021. His seat is in danger, which arouses the desires in particular of Colton Herta, who carried out private tests at Portimao with the 2021 McLaren.

ALSO READ > Colton Herta testing at Portimao with McLaren F1

Latest shock to date, the reaction of Chip Ganassi Racing, which does not intend to easily let go of Alex Palou. “Our previous press release makes it very clear, Alex Palou is under contract with the team until the end of 2023, defends Mike Hull, the CGR Team manager.

The situation is therefore grotesque before the IndyCar event in the streets of Toronto (Canada, July 17). Alex Palou belongs to two rival teams in IndyCar for 2023, which obviously cannot become a reality next year. It will most likely require the intervention of lawyers specializing in sports rights to untangle this bag of knots in the coming months.