. AlexPalou speaks openly about his mindset regarding the Ganassi IndyCar contractual dispute and possible F1 future
Three days after the conclusion of the NTT IndyCar Series season, Ganassi confirmed that its 2021 championship-winner would remain on board for 2023. However, this only came after a torrid legal battle through the summer, after Palou embarked on discussions to join Arrow McLaren SP, with the ultimate aim of becoming part of the McLaren Formula 1 line-up.
“We started the year very well, we were fighting for the championship, but we had some bad moments with the contract issue,” he said. “On a media level it was tough, because everyone wanted to talk to me about the same thing, I couldn't answer because there was a legal process going on, and it was a bit tough, to be honest. But in the end it was solved, we won the last race in a very good way. So it was a tough year, but also a good year, and ready for 2023.
Asked if he knew that the situation would be resolved before he dominated the IndyCar finale at Laguna Seca to win by half a minute, Palou said: “No, it wasn't agreed. At the last race it wasn't closed yet, that's 100 percent real. It wasn't until two days later when everything was agreed, signed and everybody was happy.
“There wasn't a moment that changed everything, but we were putting ourselves in each other's shoes and understanding each other,” he said. “We talked a lot, especially in the last race at Laguna Seca, and there I knew it was going to be solved. I didn't know if it would be in one day or two weeks, but I knew it would be solved.
“It was clear to me that it couldn't happen and that I was going to be racing,” he said. “I knew I couldn't be left without racing. So there was no such thing as someone not letting me race in IndyCar.“[But] it was never the idea in 2023 to be in F1 as a main driver, there wasn't the slightest chance. I knew 2023 was covered.”
“And I prefer it that way, to be honest. I don't want to be in Indy 500 and thinking that a McLaren driver has a headache and maybe I have to go and replace him… I don't want to be like that. I want to win races, I know that's how I can be happier and get to do more things or for more years.
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