Written by Caitlyn Gordon, Edited by Meghana Sree
After a controversial couple of months leaving the entire motorsports community in uncertainty regarding the future of Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi has now been confirmed that Palou will be racing with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2024.
This news comes out after the shocking announcement that Palou has withdrawn from his McLaren commitments for 2024 and beyond. It was expected that the Spaniard would be heading to Arrow McLaren and racing alongside Pato O’Ward and Alexander Rossi next season. But a wild turn of events saw the championship leader cut communication with his management and deny the possibility of him heading to the Papaya side.
The No.10 has become a dominant force in IndyCar this season, after winning three races in a row, earning pole position for the Indy 500, and now wrapping up his second championship with one race remaining - the first driver to do so since Dan Wheldon in 2005 - with his fifth win of the season at the Grand Prix of Portland.
The CGR driver became a hot topic in both the F1 and IndyCar paddocks after his tremendous results in the series. It had been rumored that Palou was approached by numerous F1 teams including Alpha Tauri and Williams.
Across the Atlantic Ocean, Palou was a huge factor in his own series’ market. The Spaniard held the IndyCar driver market in his hand and as soon as his seat for next year was announced, it would have a domino effect on IndyCar and its drivers.
"Alex Palou is going to be in our car next year, I can tell you that, for sure," Ganassi, who usually refuses to comment on such matter until the post-season, told NBC.
Palou will be racing alongside rookie Linus Lundqvist who recently replaced Simon Pagenaud, who sustained an injury. Beside them, the IndyCar veteran Scott Dixon will be continuing in his No. 9 Dallara DW-12 Honda. The fourth seat – which is currently occupied by Marcus Armstrong – is yet to be confirmed for 2024.
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