Alex Palou, the prominent IndyCar driver, saw his hopes of competing in Formula 1 fade due to ongoing contractual conflicts and limited opportunities at McLaren. Despite signing with Arrow McLaren for the 2023 IndyCar season after mediation with CGR, Palou refused to honor the delayed agreement, effectively ending his chance to join F1 as a McLaren reserve driver in 2024. This situation has drawn criticism from former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe, who recently spoke out about the unfair nature of Formula 1’s racing system.
Palou was expected to transition to Arrow McLaren‘s IndyCar squad in 2024 while also taking on a reserve driver role for McLaren’s F1 team. After participating in F1 testing sessions for McLaren, the Spaniard’s pathway to the F1 team became blocked following the securing of long-term contracts for Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. With no viable promotion prospects available, Palou decided to remain with CGR in IndyCar, prompting McLaren’s F1 division to pursue legal action against him.
James Hinchcliffe Critiques the System Behind Palou’s Missed F1 Chance
During a recent episode of the Red Flags podcast, James Hinchcliffe addressed the complexities surrounding Palou’s situation and the broader challenges faced by drivers aspiring to enter Formula 1. He reflected on Palou’s accomplishments in IndyCar and compared his potential to that of Carlos Sainz, a fellow Spanish driver who secured a seat in F1 at a similar age.
Hinchcliffe highlighted that Palou lacked early support from influential figures like Carlos Sainz Sr., an FIA World Champion and a key mentor in his son’s ascent. When discussing the role of backing and resources, Hinchcliffe stated,
“If he had Red Bull backing from go-karts, and so was always in the best sh*t moving up, you know, who knows? But that’s it. I mean, it’s a perfect example of why racing is kind of a dumb sport. It’s not fair, right? Like the best golfer in the world will play in the PGA, right?” —James Hinchcliffe, Former IndyCar Driver
Hinchcliffe further emphasized the cyclical nature of motorsport, recalling a period when money heavily influenced driver selection in F1 and the quality of competition suffered as a result. He said,
“The sport is cyclical, right? I mean, there was a time not that long ago in the grand scheme of things when F1 was dying, and they were just taking drivers with tens of millions of dollars in government money and chucking them in the car, and this whole best 20 was just like a complete farce,” —James Hinchcliffe, Former IndyCar Driver
Despite these challenges, Hinchcliffe acknowledged improvements in Formula 1’s competitiveness in recent years, noting that the limited number of seats—just two per team—played a significant role in blocking Palou’s rise to F1.
How Palou Might Have Matched Up Against F1 Drivers
The podcast host invited Hinchcliffe to assess how Alex Palou could have performed if given an F1 opportunity. When asked to imagine Palou replacing Carlos Sainz and partnering with Alex Albon at the Williams team, Hinchcliffe responded positively about Palou’s potential impact.
“He would be, he would be actually very well matched with Albon because Albon’s a very like really technical guy, like he’s really into the details, which is what makes Palou so good. So I think they’d be great teammates.” —James Hinchcliffe, Former IndyCar Driver
“And I think he could be, you know, matching and beating him by year two, like no problem. Like a year to learn the tires, the cars, the tracks. And he would be besting him probably more often than not by year two,” —James Hinchcliffe, Former IndyCar Driver
This assessment underscores Palou’s strengths in technical driving skill and adaptability, traits valued highly in Formula 1.
Palou’s Continuing Legacy in IndyCar Racing
Following his decision to remain in IndyCar, Alex Palou has continued to build his legacy. He clinched his fourth IndyCar title at the 2025 Grand Prix of Portland, equaling racing legends Mario Andretti, Sebastian Bourdais, and Dario Franchitti as a four-time champion. Only Scott Dixon and AJ Foyt hold more championships in the series than Palou, placing him among the sport’s all-time greats.
While Palou’s F1 ambition may have stalled, his achievements in IndyCar have solidified his status as one of the leading drivers in motorsport. The conflict surrounding his F1 path highlights the stringent, sometimes unforgiving nature of Formula 1’s talent selection and team dynamics. As for what lies ahead, Palou’s continued dominance in IndyCar suggests that his focus remains on reigning at the top level of American open-wheel racing, though the conversation about a future F1 opportunity still lingers.
