IndyCar: Palou blew chance at F1 seat

(GMM) When Lando Norris moves to Red Bull (rumor), Alex Palou could have had his F1 seat, but he blew the chance to switch to Formula 1.

Now with his second IndyCar title in his pocket, the 26-year-old Spaniard had appeared destined for a future on the F1 grid due to his backing by McLaren.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown, however, is now suing Palou for up to a reported $30 million over the driver’s decision to renege on a deal to switch from Chip Ganassi to McLaren’s own IndyCar team.

Many think Palou has now lost his chance of a future in F1.

Palou can wave goodbye to making 10 times more salary in F1. And in fact, McLaren intends to take $30 million out of Palou’s bank account.

“The door is never completely closed,” he has now told the Spanish newspaper Marca, “but at the same time I am getting older.

“So if after (the titles in) 2021 and 2023 there has not been a real and good opportunity, it will be difficult for a door to open, because it will be difficult to repeat these achievements,” Palou added.

“I’m happy where I am,” the IndyCar star added. “I think there are very few opportunities in F1, but if a good one comes along we would take it. But I’m not waiting impatiently for F1 either.

“The position I have is very privileged, in one of the best teams, with everything I need to fight for races and championships, and it would be difficult to leave,” Palou said.