Hyped McLaren driver reveals chances of an F1 drive
Hyped McLaren driver reveals chances of an F1 drive
Two-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou has admitted he is unlikely to be handed a Formula 1 opportunity, with his focus remaining on single-seater racing in the US.
Palou recently clinched his second IndyCar championship and has extended his relationship with Chip Ganassi Racing, severing his ties with McLaren in the process. However, Palou and McLaren have been locked in a legal battle.
Zak Brown, McLaren Racing's CEO, claimed Palou has a signed contract with Arrows McLaren for 2024 and that he has received an advance on his wages.
Palou had revealed he was leaving Ganassi last year to join McLaren, although a legal case settled out of court kept him with the US-based team and also ensured an opportunity to test in F1 in a reserve driver role.
He is not expected to report for duty at the Singapore Grand Prix, though, and now appears to have given up fully on his F1 dream to concentrate on IndyCar.
READ MORE: McLaren star TEARS UP contract to remain with team in 2024
'I'm not going to sit around and wait'
"For me, Formula 1 has never been the only goal. I'm not going to give up everything to get into Formula 1 at all costs," he said, via Formule1.nl.
"At the same time, I also know that it is the king class of motorsport, with the biggest names and brands. Of course, I would love to be a part of that.
"But with a good choice and not at all costs. The opportunities I have in America are great, and I don't want to sacrifice that to have a chance to get into F1.
"I tried, I was in that car and I think I did pretty well, but the chances didn't come. I don't think I could have done anything else, so the opportunity probably won't arise now. I'm starting to get too old for the F1 world. But I'm going to wait and see.
"I will continue to win as much as I can in IndyCar. If another opportunity arises, that's great. If not, it's okay, I'll just keep trying in IndyCar. It's not quite the end of the story, absolutely not. But next year I'll be 27, and that's really different from 21.
"The opportunity may still come, but I'm not going to sit around and wait. If the opportunity hasn't presented itself now, it's unlikely to happen."
READ MORE: McLaren commence LEGAL proceedings over driver's surprise departure
Related news
McLaren boss reveals which driver 'can compete with Schumacher'
Norris admits frustration after missing out on US F1 Grand Prix pole
Stella admits being blown away by 'impossible' McLaren 2023 gains
McLaren announce signing of 'promising' new driver
Most read
FIA take action after Verstappen track limits mishap
F1 News Today: FIA make changes as Mercedes receive double penalty and Horner curses bad luck
Red Bull to replace driver at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Stroll issues Alonso Aston Martin contract verdict
Horner takes aim at Kravitz with savage jibe at Sky Sports pundit
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Nyck De Vries
- Liam Lawson
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2023
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023
- Grand Prix of Australia 2023
- Grand Prix of China 2023
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2023
- Miami Grand Prix 2023
- Qatar Airways Gran Premio Del Made In Italy E Dell'emilia Romagna 2023
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2023
- AWS Gran Premio de España 2023
- Grand Prix du Canada 2023
- Grand Prix of Austria 2023
- Aramco Grand Prix of Great Britain 2023
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2023
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2023
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2023
- Grand Prix of Italy 2023
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2023
- Grand Prix of Japan 2023
- Qatar Grand Prix 2023
- Grand Prix of the United States 2023
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2023
- Rolex Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2023
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2023
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860