Red Bull Racing has reportedly shown strong interest in signing four-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou to become Max Verstappen’s teammate in the 2026 Formula 1 season, according to fresh reports that surfaced on Monday. This move would mark a significant shift for Palou, who currently competes in IndyCar and was previously linked with F1 through McLaren.
Red Bull Approaches Palou to Join Verstappen in 2026
According to an exclusive report from the Indianapolis Star, Red Bull Racing has expressed concrete interest in recruiting Alex Palou for their 2026 driver lineup alongside reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen. At 28 years old, Palou’s potential transition to the high-pressure world of Formula 1 with a top team would represent a major change in his racing career.
“Red Bull Racing expressed interest in signing four-time IndyCar champion to join Verstappen, sources confirmed to the Indianapolis Star.”
Fans reacted quickly on social media platform X, voicing mixed opinions about Palou’s possible shift. Some expressed concern that moving to F1 might hinder the Spaniard’s promising trajectory, while others remained hopeful about the opportunity.
“Don’t ruin his career like this,” said one fan.
“What a way to end your career!,” said another user.
“He will not last a year,” claimed yet another fan.
Other fans questioned why Palou would choose Red Bull, potentially taking a secondary role, rather than continuing to build his legacy in IndyCar.
“Why would he go to ‘RedBull’ to be a 2nd driver when he could continue making his legacy at IndyCar,” questioned one user.
Still, some expressed excitement about the idea.
“Would be cool to see him get a shot in F1,” said another fan.
“Wow! He may be the first driver that Max wouldn’t overwhelm!!,” claimed another user.
Earlier in his career, Palou served as a test and reserve driver for McLaren’s F1 team but decided to leave the squad in 2023, citing limited opportunities to race and refocusing entirely on IndyCar competition. Whether Palou will consider Red Bull’s offer and make the jump to F1 remains uncertain.
Vacant Red Bull Seat Opens Door for New Driver in 2026
The potential vacancy emerges as Yuki Tsunoda’s contract with Red Bull Racing reaches its conclusion at the end of the 2025 season. Reports indicate that Red Bull is unlikely to renew his contract. Tsunoda’s future with the team remains in question, putting the second Red Bull seat up for grabs.
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s chief advisor, noted the team has yet to finalize the decision on Verstappen’s teammate and expects to review driver performances after the summer break.
“Our driver evaluation traditionally takes place after the summer break. At the moment, everything is open. We’re looking at performances, both positive and negative,” Marko said during the Hungarian GP weekend.
Aside from Palou, emerging talent Isack Hadjar and Red Bull academy driver Arvid Lindblad have been discussed as potential candidates to join Red Bull’s F1 roster in 2026. Both bring strong credentials, with Hadjar rising through Formula 2 and Lindblad highly rated in the Red Bull junior program.
As Red Bull evaluates its options, the decision will have significant implications for team dynamics and Verstappen’s future competition. Should Alex Palou join, it would introduce a new dynamic between the seasoned IndyCar champion and the dominant Red Bull star. Fans and insiders alike will be watching closely as the team approaches its final selection ahead of the 2026 season.
