Alex Palou is the only driver in IndyCar history to have won two championships before turning 26 years old.
The Spaniard is currently on his way to securing his third IndyCar title in four seasons, holding a 49-point lead over Team Penske’s Will Power with five races to go in 2024.
He has plenty of years ahead of him, but an opportunity across the pond in Formula 1 has alluded him so far.
The closest he came was after signing to be a McLaren reserve driver in Formula 1 for 2023, before the deal turned sour.
Having signed a three-year deal to race for the Arrow McLaren IndyCar outfit, he backed out, and the British team are now attempting to sue him for over £23m in damages.
Palou has now spoken to the Spanish outlet Marca and took a dig at Williams F1 driver Alex Albon in the process.
Alex Palou takes a poke at Williams F1 driver Alex Albon
The prospect of being in a Formula 1 cockpit is the dream for most racing drivers worldwide, but for Palou, the success he has endured in North America leaves him without a bitter taste of the idea of competing in the pinnacle of motorsport.
In fact, he’s proud of his efforts and compared himself to namesake Alex Albon – insisting that winning championships in IndyCar means more to him than races in Formula 1 would.
“There will be those who believe that, for example, Albon has had a better sporting career than me. But I’d rather have two IndyCar titles than no Formula 1 wins,” Palou said.
“Obviously we would all have liked to have been in Formula 1 and seen what we could have done, although we all know that I would not have won two championships. I, obviously, tried. If it didn’t come out… Well, nothing happens.
“Let’s just say it doesn’t hurt. I tried, it didn’t work and that’s it. I haven’t lost anything. And no, I don’t think Formula 1 has missed anything any more than I have missed anything either. I’m enjoying every day here incredibly, winning races and championships.”
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Is there any space for Palou elsewhere on the Formula 1 grid?
With the exception of a few teams who have tied down two drivers over the coming years, could there be an option for Palou to join a Formula 1 team if he can secure a third IndyCar championship?
Openings for 2025 are few and far between, but there could be far more options on the table when it comes to 2026.
A new era of technical regulations always brings about a lot of change, and with the likes of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton only getting older, there could be some options at play.
In fact, Alonso’s Aston Martin seat would be ideal – a like for like Spanish replacement and a solid foundation to hit the ground running would be ideal.
The Race reported that AlphaTauri (now Visa Cash App RB) and Williams were interested in his services before, so a move to the former could be on the cards too.
Especially in a situation where Daniel Ricciardo and or Yuki Tsunoda depart the team and leave a hole that needs to be filled by an experienced single-seater driver.
Palou has unquestioned talent, but if he is to make Formula 1, unlike some of his rivals (Scott Dixon), he will have to find a way to forge his own opportunity in the sport.