On May 25, 2025, Alex Palou captured widespread attention with his victory in the 109th Indianapolis 500, marking a significant milestone in his IndyCar racing journey and victories. The 28-year-old Spaniard, driving the No. 10 DHL Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing, has emerged as a dominant force despite being in the series for only six seasons.
Palou’s rise in IndyCar has been rapid and impressive, boasting three championships and 16 total wins, including the prestigious Indy 500 triumph. His breakthrough solidifies his growing reputation as one of the sport’s premier talents.
Early Years: Karting Roots and European Racing Beginnings
Born and raised in Barcelona, Spain, Palou began karting at the age of six with no family ties to motor racing. Starting with a second-hand kart, he quickly displayed a natural talent, winning numerous karting titles across Spain in his youth. By 2012, he had claimed the WSK Euro Series championship, competing against future stars like Callum Ilott, Santino Ferrucci, and George Russell.
This competitive European karting experience laid the foundation for Palou’s later successes and exposed him to some of the world’s best young drivers early in his career.
Transition to Open-Wheel Racing and Progress through European Series
At 17, Palou made his open-wheel debut in the Euroformula Open Championship with Campos Racing, finishing third overall with three wins and poles. Remaining with Campos, he moved into GP3 in 2015, achieving a race victory at Abu Dhabi, where he became the first Spanish driver to win there. Despite a challenging follow-up season in 2016, Palou continued competing among high-profile drivers like Charles Leclerc and Alexander Albon.
Seeking further growth, Palou shifted to the World Series Formula V8 3.5 in 2017, racing a partial season with Teo MartÃn Motorsport. Despite limited entries, he secured a win at Germany’s Nürburgring and multiple podiums, demonstrating adaptability and speed across different formats.
Additionally in 2017, Palou competed in Formula Two with Campos Racing, finishing 21st. His time in F2 placed him alongside several future IndyCar and Formula 1 drivers, enhancing his racing depth and experience.
Continuing Development: Formula 3 and the Move to Japan
In 2018, Palou returned to a full Formula 3 season with Hitech Bullfrog GP, collecting seven podiums and two fastest laps in 10 races, and finishing seventh in the championship. His competition included Mick Schumacher and Marcus Armstrong, further confirming his ability to match top-tier talent.
Recognizing the crowded path toward Formula 1, Palou pivoted his career to Japan, where he joined the Threebond with Drago Corse team for Japanese Formula Three, securing third in the championship with 10 podiums and five pole positions at age 20. This success helped establish him as a promising talent in Asian motorsports.
In 2019, Palou competed in two of Japan’s premier racing series: Super GT GT300 and Super Formula. Driving a McLaren 720S GT3 in Super GT, he and teammate Seiji Ara achieved a season-best second place at Autopolis and finished 15th overall. Simultaneously, Palou excelled in Super Formula with TCS Nakajima Racing, claiming third in the championship, with a victory at Fuji Speedway and three poles.
Arrival and Rapid Rise in IndyCar
Palou transitioned to the United States and entered the IndyCar series with Dale Coyne Racing in 2020, arriving as a relatively unknown figure in American motorsport. His initial exposure was challenging, debuting on the fast Texas Motor Speedway track with a 23rd-place finish after a collision involving Rinus Veekay.
Despite early setbacks, Palou quickly adapted, showcasing strong consistency throughout the 2020 season. He earned a podium at Road America and a ninth-place finish on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Concluding the season 16th in points, Palou demonstrated great promise by outperforming expectations with modest equipment.
Joining Chip Ganassi Racing and Immediate Impact
In 2021, Palou signed with the illustrious Chip Ganassi Racing team, filling the seat vacated by Felix Rosenqvist. His immediate success was striking—winning his first race with Ganassi at Barber Motorsports Park, a victory that launched a string of dominant performances and established him as a serious championship contender.
Chip Ganassi himself praised his driver’s rapid success:
He certainly delivered out of the blocks there at Alabama. His first race with us he won,
Ganassi commented following Palou’s Indy 500 victory.
The guy continues to just change the record book.
—Chip Ganassi, Team Owner
The team owner further highlighted Palou’s status among Ganassi Racing greats:
I think he’s one of the greats. It’s that simple. Certainly we’ve had some great drivers on our team, and he’s right there, at worst, shoulder to shoulder with all the rest of them. You’ve got to talk about Franchitti and Montoya and Dixon and all the champions we’ve had, Vasser and Zanardi, and it just adds to it, Marcus Ericsson won here with us. It’s just a great thing. He’s clearly in that group now.
—Chip Ganassi, Team Owner
Record-Breaking 2025 Season Elevates Palou’s Legacy
During the 2025 IndyCar season, Palou further cemented his legendary status by becoming only the third driver to win five of the first six races in a single campaign, joining the exclusive ranks of A.J. Foyt and Al Unser. This remarkable feat underscored his growing dominance and consistency on the track.
Palou’s careful progression from Spain to Japan and finally to IndyCar has enabled him to continually develop his craft and adapt to diverse racing formats and circuits. His victory at the Indy 500, along with multiple championships and consistent wins, signals his place alongside IndyCar legends like Foyt, Unser, Rick Mears, Scott Dixon, Dario Franchitti, Hélio Castroneves, and Tony Kanaan.
Looking Ahead: What Alex Palou’s Future Holds
At just 28 years old, Alex Palou’s trajectory indicates a career destined for even greater records and milestones. Coming from a humble background without ties to racing, his relentless dedication and talent have propelled him to the upper echelons of motorsport.
As Palou continues to rewrite IndyCar history with Chip Ganassi Racing behind him, fans and competitors alike await his next achievements, expecting the Barcelona native to remain a central figure in American open-wheel racing for years to come.
