On Tuesday, McLaren Racing announced that Alex Palou has joined the team for the 2023 season, hours after Chip Ganassi Racing announced they exercised his extension for the 2023 season, which would’ve been his third season at CGR.
Early on Tuesday, Chip Ganassi Racing released a statement announcing that Palou was returning to the team in 2023, including quotes from both Chip Ganassi and Alex Palou. However, three hours after the statement was released, Palou took to his personal Twitter account to clarify the news.
“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,” said Alex Palou. “I did not approve that press release, and I did not author or approve that quote. As I have recently informed CGR, for personal reasons, I do not intend to continue with the team after 2022. This evening’s unfortunate events aside, I have great respect for the CGR team, and look forward to finishing this season strongly together.”
The 25-year-old from Sant Antoni de Vilamajor, Spain, and defending champion is currently in fourth in the championship with four top-five and seven top-ten finishes.
Shortly after Palou’s statement, McLaren Racing announced that Palou was joining the team in 2023 but didn’t say if he will race IndyCar or jump to Formula 1 or Formula E.
“I’m extremely excited to join the driver roster for such an iconic team as McLaren,” said Alex Palou. “I’m excited to be able to show what I can do behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car and looking at what doors that may open. I want to thank everyone at Chip Ganassi Racing for everything they have done for me.”
Palou won the 2021 IndyCar Championship, becoming the first Spaniard to win a title, and it was Ganassi’s 14th title in IndyCar. Palou has one pole, three wins, and 12 podium finishes in two seasons with Chip Ganassi Racing. He previously raced for Dale Coyne Racing in 2018 with one podium finish.
“We have always said that we want the best talent at McLaren, and it’s exciting to be able to include Alex on that list,” said McLaren CEO Zak Brown. “I’m also looking forward to seeing him get behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car as part of our Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme alongside Pato O’Ward and Colton Herta as we continue to build our driver talent. Alex is an incredibly talented driver who has won in every series he has raced in, and I’m happy to welcome him to the McLaren family.”
Palou will look to get his first win of the season this Sunday in the Grand Prix of Toronto at 3 pm on Peacock. This will be IndyCar’s first race in Toronto in two years due to the pandemic.
