Two-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou has firmly dismissed any speculation linking him with a potential move to Sauber’s Formula 1 team for the 2025 season, labeling the rumors as “fake.” Despite reports suggesting that Palou could partner Nico Hulkenberg at Sauber before Audi’s full entry into F1 in 2026, the Spaniard has made it clear that no such discussions have taken place.
Palou, 27, has established himself as one of the premier talents in the IndyCar series, securing his first championship in 2021, a second in 2023, and currently leading the charge for a third title in 2024. His success in the United States has not gone unnoticed, with some speculating that he could make the jump to F1. However, Palou has categorically ruled out any involvement with Audi or Sauber, telling the IndyStar, “It’s all fake. I’ve had no contacts with Audi. Zero.”
Audi’s recent restructuring of the Hinwil-based Sauber team has added fuel to the speculation. The German automaker, set to take over the team in 2026, has appointed former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto as Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer. Additionally, Red Bull Racing Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley is set to join Sauber as team principal in 2025. These high-profile changes have turned attention to the team’s driver lineup for the coming seasons.
With both Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu on expiring contracts and former Sauber CEO Andreas Seidl seemingly uninterested in retaining them, Sauber is exploring its options. Previous Audi targets Carlos Sainz and Esteban Ocon have already committed to Williams and Haas, respectively, while Red Bull’s Helmut Marko has ruled out loaning Liam Lawson to a rival team. This leaves Sauber with a limited pool of F1 talent to choose from, including Kevin Magnussen and Logan Sargeant, or potentially looking outside the current F1 grid.
One alternative could be Formula 2 title contender Gabriel Bortoleto, part of McLaren’s Driver Development programme. However, Palou’s name continues to surface due to his extensive experience and profile outside of F1. Palou previously balanced his IndyCar commitments with F1 testing and practice sessions for McLaren, even participating in the 2022 United States Grand Prix. His ties with McLaren deepened when he was named the team’s F1 Reserve Driver for 2023, but a contractual dispute with Chip Ganassi Racing derailed his move to Arrow McLaren’s IndyCar team for 2024.
Despite his talent and the allure of F1, Palou seems content with his current path, noting that while he enjoyed his brief F1 experience, he isn’t pursuing a return. “I got a small taste, and it was fun, and I learned, but it didn’t happen, so I’m good,” Palou said. He also added, “I’m not desperately seeing the news there and sending an email [to team officials] like, ‘Hey, I know we’re not in contact, but can we talk?’ I’m good, I’m good.”
Given his current success in IndyCar and the uncertainty surrounding Sauber’s future performance, it’s understandable why Palou might hesitate to leave a winning environment for a struggling F1 team. For now, it seems the IndyCar star will continue to dominate in the U.S., leaving Sauber to explore other options for its 2025 driver lineup.
Photo from Alex Palou Instagram
