Chip Ganassi, owner of the dominant Chip Ganassi Racing IndyCar team, has vehemently denied recent reports linking his star driver, Alex Palou, to a potential Formula 1 seat with Red Bull. Ganassi dismissed the speculation as "clickbait".
Why it matters:
- Alex Palou is one of IndyCar's most successful drivers, having won four of the last five titles. His talent naturally attracts attention from top-tier motorsport.
- A move to Formula 1, especially with a team like Red Bull, would be a significant shift for the motorsport landscape and for Palou's career trajectory.
- Ganassi's strong denial underscores his confidence in retaining his champion driver and highlights the team's ability to provide a compelling environment.
The details:
- Recent reports out of Indianapolis suggested Red Bull was eyeing Palou for an F1 role.
- Ganassi stated that neither Palou nor his management had any knowledge of such discussions. "I think it's a clickbait story. Somebody needs to brush up their investigative journalism," Ganassi commented.
- He affirmed his expectation that Palou would continue driving the #10 car for Chip Ganassi Racing in the 2026 IndyCar Series.
- This isn't the first time Palou has been linked to F1; he previously backflipped on a deal with McLaren to remain with Ganassi, leading to a legal dispute.
Ganassi's perspective:
- Ganassi emphasized that every team wants a highly sought-after driver like Palou, indicating his value.
- He believes the "biggest threat is ourselves" and focuses on creating the best environment for his drivers.
- Ganassi also downplayed the allure of F1, suggesting it might not be as exciting for Palou to be a "number two" driver. He noted that F1 drivers frequently contact IndyCar teams.
What's next:
- Alex Palou is set to be officially crowned a four-time IndyCar champion at the season finale on September 1 at Nashville Superspeedway.
- Chip Ganassi remains confident that Palou will stay with the team for the foreseeable future.