Fernando Alonso, two-time F1 champion, has endorsed Alex Palou's potential for Formula 1, despite fierce denials from IndyCar team owner Chip Ganassi regarding recent Red Bull links. Speculation about Palou's F1 future has been rife, but Ganassi has dismissed the claims as unfounded.
Why it matters: Palou is a leading talent in IndyCar, and his potential move to F1 would be a significant story. Alonso's backing adds weight to Palou's F1 credentials, but Ganassi's strong rebuttal highlights the often-unreliable nature of driver market rumors.
The details:
- Speaking at Zandvoort, Alonso commented on the challenge of transitioning from IndyCar to F1, stating, "He has the talent and he has the level to adapt very quickly." Alonso emphasized that success largely depends on the car, noting, "If you are in a fast car, everything is a little bit easier."
- Alonso, who has competed in the Indianapolis 500, expressed full confidence in Palou, affirming, "I think for sure he is Formula 1 level. And if he has the chance, I will be very happy for him."
- Conversely, Chip Ganassi, Palou's team owner, vehemently rejected the Red Bull rumors. "I think it's a clickbait story and somebody needs to brush up on their investigative journalism," Ganassi said, adding that neither Palou nor his management had discussed F1 with Red Bull.
- Palou's manager, Roger Yasukawa, also quickly refuted the reports, which had circulated earlier this week claiming Red Bull's interest in the four-time IndyCar champion.
The big picture: The move from IndyCar to F1 is rare and challenging. Alonso himself has experience in both disciplines, lending credibility to his assessment of Palou. While Palou's talent is widely recognized, the path to an F1 seat, especially with a top team like Red Bull, is often fraught with speculation and political complexities.