Alex Palou and his team boss, Chip Ganassi, have firmly denied rumors linking the multi-time IndyCar champion to a prospective move to Red Bull in Formula 1. The 28-year-old Spaniard, who has secured IndyCar championships in 2021, 2023, and 2024 driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, has not been contacted by Red Bull regarding any potential 2026 F1 opportunity.
Ganassi’s Response to Speculation and Team Loyalty
Ganassi addressed the circulating rumors by telling reporters that neither he nor Palou had any communication with Red Bull or any other parties about a Formula 1 switch. He emphasized,
“I called Alex and he hasn’t spoken to anyone either, not even his manager,”
adding,
“None of us know anything, so I think it’s a clickbait story.”
Ganassi expressed his desire to keep Palou in IndyCar, stating,
“Of course I don’t want to lose him, who would? He already had the opportunity to leave, but he stayed.”
He acknowledged the obvious interest from other teams, remarking,
“If you have the driver everyone wants, you have something very valuable.”
Ganassi’s Views on Formula 1 and Palou’s Future Ambitions
Despite the F1 speculation, Ganassi downplayed the threat posed by Formula 1 to their IndyCar program, asserting,
“I think we are the threat. We work to give our drivers the best for them, and I think it’s working with Alex.”
When questioned if Palou might be drawn to Formula 1’s prestige, Ganassi responded hesitantly but fondly,
“Alex is more like a brother to me than anything else,”
and voiced concerns about Palou potentially becoming a secondary driver:
“I wouldn’t like to see him leave to be a second driver somewhere else.”
He also weighed Palou’s passion for success in IndyCar against the allure of F1, adding,
“I wouldn’t stop him, and he may feel the attraction, but I don’t see him exchanging the possibility of winning the greatest race in the world (the Indy 500) for others that aren’t.”
Still, Ganassi admitted that no future move is predetermined:
“There are no other expectations other than Alex being here.”
Further Rejections of Transfer Rumors From Key Figures
Additional sources close to Red Bull, including German outlet f1-insider.com often linked to Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko, have denied the speculation, stating,
“Red Bull has no interest in the Spaniard, and the rumours are said to be coming from Daniele Audetto.”
Audetto, a former Ferrari manager who currently serves as a senior advisor to Palou, seemingly distanced himself from these claims. Palou himself responded to the rumors, telling the Associated Press,
“There was nothing, nothing at all,”
and explaining,
“The only thing I heard was that it was the manager of another IndyCar driver who wanted my wheel who started this.”
Implications for Alex Palou and IndyCar Moving Forward
The outright dismissals of this rumored Red Bull Formula 1 interest underscore the importance of verifying transfer stories within motorsport’s highly speculative environment. Palou’s continued commitment to IndyCar and Chip Ganassi Racing offers stability for the team amid swirling rumors. With Palou chasing more championships and the iconic Indy 500 victory remaining a pinnacle goal, it seems current focus remains firmly on American open-wheel racing rather than a jump to F1 at this time.
