It started with an “aggressive hug” from Chip Ganassi, and a cheek pat that left Alex Palou rubbing his cheek in both amusement and slight pain. That was how the IndyCar team boss expressed his mixed emotions after Palou held off Will Power to secure Chip Ganassi Racing’s 16th IndyCar title in 29 years. Palou, who has emerged from relative obscurity to become one of the series’ most formidable talents, is now cementing his place among the greats of the sport.
From Japan to IndyCar: A Meteoric Rise
Palou’s journey to the top of IndyCar is nothing short of remarkable. He arrived on the scene seemingly out of nowhere, transitioning from a Japanese racing series to drive for Dale Coyne Racing during the pandemic-restricted 2020 season. IndyCar was operating in a bubble at the time, and with no fans at the Indianapolis 500, there was limited opportunity to meet and notice new drivers.
However, Palou caught the attention of Ganassi’s team during his podium finish at Road America behind Scott Dixon and Will Power, two of IndyCar’s most celebrated drivers. But it was his performance at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in August that really turned heads. Despite being with a smaller team, Palou’s pit strategy and race execution impressed Ganassi’s managing director, Mike Hull, who immediately saw something special in the young Spaniard.
A Secret Meeting and a Career-Changing Decision
With Felix Rosenqvist leaving Ganassi, the team needed a new driver. Hull and Ganassi invited Palou to a secret meeting at the J.W. Marriott in Indianapolis, where they decided to sign him. “We snuck off to a hotel room in the J.W. Marriott and sat down and talked about it together with Chip and we chose him. I think it’s validated,” Hull said.
That decision has indeed been validated multiple times. Palou’s debut season with Ganassi in 2021 saw him win his first race and two more en route to his first IndyCar championship. But his path was not without drama. In 2022, Palou signed a contract with McLaren Racing, hoping for a potential Formula 1 opportunity. Ganassi, however, contested the move, citing contractual obligations that required Palou to stay for the 2023 season. The ensuing legal dispute ended in mediation, confirming Palou would remain with Ganassi for one more year.
Dominance Amidst Legal Turmoil
Despite the off-track distractions, Palou continued to perform at an elite level. In 2023, he won five races and captured his second championship. Realizing that a Formula 1 seat wasn’t likely with McLaren, and that Ganassi offered the best chance to compete for wins, Palou made the unexpected decision to stay. This triggered another legal battle, with McLaren suing for $30 million in damages.
Even as his Ganassi teammates grew distant during the contract dispute, Palou remained unflappable. He showed up to every team event, greeted his colleagues with unreturned “good mornings,” and slowly rebuilt those relationships. His mental toughness and focus never wavered, even amid the swirling gossip about his McLaren fallout and the pending lawsuit.
The Elevator Encounter and McLaren’s Fallout
The strained relationship between Palou and McLaren CEO Zak Brown reached its peak during an awkward elevator ride at the Long Beach Grand Prix. It was the only direct interaction between the two since Palou decided to stay at Ganassi, and Brown took the opportunity to express his displeasure. Palou’s reversal threw McLaren’s 2024 plans into disarray. The team hastily signed David Malukas, but his offseason injury led to a string of replacements and uncertainty.
McLaren is now left to pick up the pieces as they prepare for next season, while Palou continues to thrive at Ganassi. His decision to stay has only solidified his legacy with the team, adding another chapter to his rapidly growing list of achievements.
A Legacy in the Making
With three championships in four years, Palou has joined an elite group of drivers, becoming only the 13th in IndyCar history to achieve such a feat. At just 27 years old, Palou is already being compared to some of the sport’s all-time greats, with team owner Ganassi lauding his maturity, skill, and unshakable demeanor.
“At his age, to be doing what he’s doing, having the experience that he has, to have a guy like Alex on your team — I mean, three championships in four years … he’s in pretty rarefied air right now,” Ganassi said. “His name has to be among and certainly in the conversation of the great drivers. He’s certainly in the conversation of the greatest.”
As Palou’s career continues to ascend, his story serves as a testament to resilience, talent, and the ability to thrive under pressure. Whether fighting off rivals on the track or navigating the complexities of a high-stakes career off it, Alex Palou has proven that he’s exactly where he’s supposed to be: at the top of the IndyCar world.
