Álex Palou is still aiming for the top in 2026: "We're paid to win"

Álex Palou has set the bar very high for 2026, after his brilliant 2025 season marked by ten podium finishes, eight victories, and a third consecutive championship title – his fourth overall. In fact, this campaign, which he describes as " magic " will undoubtedly be difficult to match.

Is stability the key to Álex Palou's success? It certainly contributes. The Catalan has been working with the same group of people since his debut with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2021. Julian Robertson, my engineer, has been here since day one. Ricky Davis, my chief mechanic, too. He recalls. Having the same people helps enormously in terms of communication. Julian knows what I mean when I say 'It's not very good.He knows whether it means 5 out of 10 or 7 out of 10. That's why we're able to bounce back from bad starts to the weekend or from difficult situations. It's the same with Barry, my strategist. We have all the necessary tools. […] But I'm very lucky that my core team doesn't change. »

While he approaches the 2026 season with determination, the Spaniard is taking his time. Even though I'd love to experience another season like 2025, I'm almost certain it probably won't happen again for me. I'll try, though. he assures us, however. Obviously, we have to go back and see if we can still succeed and fight for the championship and the Indy 500. That's what we're paid for: to win. »

Indy 500 Goal

Having won the Indy 500 for the first time in 2025, Palou has lost none of his motivation. Quite the opposite. Before winning, I thought that a driver who had already won it couldn't want it more than someone who was still chasing it. But that's wrong. Because you know what winning the Indy 500 means, affirms the four-time world champion. I want to experience that again. We only get one chance a year, and it's very difficult to win. But I absolutely want to do it again. »

The 2026 calendar will also bring its share of challenges with the return of Phoenix after an eight-year absence and the arrival of Arlington, which will host a round of the [race] for the first time.IndyCarA real challenge for both the drivers and the teams. It's going to be difficult. For everyone, both the newcomers and those who have been there a long time. For each team, finding a setup that works from the very first practice session will be complicated. confides Palou. At Arlington, we'll have two practice sessions, but at Phoenix, it will only be one, then we're going straight there. It's very complicated to develop a car capable of being fast. Everyone is going to struggle. »

The driver can, however, approach next season with greater peace of mind. The British courts have finally delivered their verdict in the trial between Álex Palou and McLaren, a case that placed a heavy mental burden on the person most directly involved. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. The mental pressure you feel is enormous. Even if you just want to think about the race, you can't. There are calls with lawyers, again and again. But that's the situation I put myself in. I learned a lot from it. he acknowledges. Now that it's over, it's clearly a relief to say to oneself: 'It's over, it's behind me.'

Freed from the legal burden that had long weighed on him, bolstered by a stable environment and the confidence built on his successes, Álex Palou now has everything he needs to defend his title. But even he has doubts: can he equal his performance from the previous season? The challenge remains.

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