Alex Palou, a standout driver for Chip Ganassi Racing who has secured three IndyCar championships over the past four years, is aiming for his fourth title this season. The Spanish racer recently addressed how he measures himself against top competitors Max Verstappen and Kyle Larson, offering a candid perspective on their abilities and versatility.
Max Verstappen is widely regarded as one of the best single-seater drivers of his generation, known for pushing his car beyond usual limits while maintaining control. Kyle Larson, however, has built a reputation as a “versatile racing master,” excelling across multiple motorsport disciplines including NASCAR stock cars, midget cars, sprint cars on dirt tracks, and open-wheel IndyCar racing.
Last year, Larson confidently claimed to be a more well-rounded driver than Verstappen. While all three—Verstappen, Larson, and Palou—are recognized as elite drivers within their respective series, they have never competed directly against each other simultaneously on the same track.
Despite this, Palou has faced Larson on the famous Indianapolis 500 course and knows Verstappen personally, having been teammates in go-kart racing. Following the recent IndyCar event at Road America, Palou was asked where he would rank himself compared to Larson and Verstappen.
“I don’t know. I think stuff to compare drivers from different series. Kyle has done a tremendous job, not only in NASCAR and IndyCar. I would say, probably one of the only drivers in the world that can go to different series and different cars and perform at such a good level that he does. I don’t know, but I don’t think I would be at this level in NASCAR or in dirt racing, so that’s probably higher than me,” said Alex Palou.
“And Max, he was my teammate in Go Karts. He is an amazing driver, and he’s probably the fastest in a single seater. So, yeah, I don’t know where I stand, but for sure not at those levels. Hopefully one day. But yeah, what Kyle is able to do with different cars in different series is pretty impressive.”
Palou Reflects on His F1 Prospects and Current Focus
In 2022, Palou signed a contract with Arrow McLaren that included a reserve driver position in Formula 1 alongside his IndyCar commitments, a role currently held by Pato O’Ward. However, a clause in Palou’s Chip Ganassi Racing contract delayed this move by a year.
By the time the contract clause lifted, McLaren had already committed to long-term deals with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, making it difficult for Palou to secure a Formula 1 seat. Choosing to remain with Chip Ganassi Racing, he declined the McLaren contract, which resulted in a legal dispute with the McLaren team, also known as Papaya.
After his latest performance at the Road America Grand Prix, Palou was asked if any Formula 1 teams had reached out to him recently regarding opportunities.
“I tried everything, like I would say three years ago, to try and get there. I think everybody knows that it didn’t work out, and that was okay. It was a fun, fun experience, but. Yeah. Now, I’m not looking for that. I’m really happy where I am, and I think I’m really privileged to be in the position I am to fight for races and championships.”
Current Success and What Lies Ahead for Palou
Alex Palou is currently leading the IndyCar championship standings with 386 points, having won six of the first nine races this season, including the prestigious Indianapolis 500. His consistent performance demonstrates not only his mastery of open-wheel racing but also his determination to maintain his position at the sport’s highest level.
Palou’s reflections show a driver who respects the unique talents of Kyle Larson as a versatile racing master and acknowledges Max Verstappen’s speed and single-seater prowess. At the same time, he remains focused on his current role in IndyCar, confident in his ability to compete for championships and contribute to his team’s success.
