Palou keeping his focus on IndyCar, not F1

Breakaway IndyCar Series championship leader Alex Palou says he appreciates the fans who continually call for his hiring by the Cadillac Formula 1 team or other F1 programs in need of talent. But the 28-year-old Spaniard, who signed an extended contract with Chip Ganassi Racing, moved his family from Spain to Indiana and has designs on winning his fourth championship in five years, also says he’s found a long-term home in the U.S.

“We built a house!” Palou told RACER. “Took us like 14 months. Everybody knows that I tried with everything to do F1; I was all-in. It was not even just, ‘I'll try a little bit.’ It was all-in. It didn't work.”

A buyout clause is understood to exist in Palou’s contract that would make it possible for a Cadillac or any other F1 team to pay Chip Ganassi Racing for his release, but the number is said to be so high, no team would commit the amount required to separate CGR from its top contender.

“I would put it as I'm not looking to go there," Palou said. "I had my half a chance, or maybe more like a 10-percent chance, and it didn't work out. That's fine, and I'm glad that I have amazing opportunity here, and it's going well. I’ve had no contacts (in F1). I'm not looking for a change.”

Cadillac has stated it has plans to speak to up to eight drivers as it looks to finalize its 2026 line-up, with an emphasis on those with recent F1 experience. Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas are believed to be the frontrunning candidates for at least one of the seats, and Palou's name has never publicly been mentioned by team principal Graeme Lowdon, who has acknowledged the likes of Colton Herta and Jak Crawford as American options should the team look to pair one with an experienced F1 driver.