Alex Palou’s run of success in IndyCar shows he deserves a chance to prove his potential in Formula 1, says fellow Spanish driver Carlos Sainz Jnr.
Victory in the Indianapolis 500 last weekend capped a remarkable run of results for the 28-year-old. Since making his IndyCar debut five years ago he has won the championship three times.He has made an astonishing start to the 2025 season, taking five wins and a second place over the first six rounds. Palou already has twice the points of his six-times championship-winning team mate Scott Dixon.
Palou began his career in Europe and made four starts in Formula 2 in 2017, but was unable to land a full-time drive. He arrived in IndyCar via Japan’s Super Formula series.
Sainz raced against him earlier in their career. “I always rated Alex very highly because I was his team mate in cadets and he was very quick in cadet karting,” he said.
“But honestly speaking, what he’s doing in America is something really admirable. I think to dominate in the way he’s dominating, you have to be very good at what you’re doing.
“Formula 1 is a completely different discipline, different world, but I don’t have anything else but respect and admiration for what Alex is doing in Indy.”
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Palou was briefly at the centre of a dispute between his Ganassi IndyCar team and rivals McLaren for his services. He made a single appearance in an F1 practice session for McLaren at the United States Grand Prix in 2022, but splitting from the team has left him without a route into F1.
Sainz said he is “definitely” quick enough to make the switch. “I think someone that is capable of winning the Indy 500, at least he should at some point be given the chance to show what he can do in Formula 1. And if he’s quick enough in Formula 1, then he should be welcomed in Formula 1.”
But Fernando Alonso, who raced against Palou when he made his last attempt at the Indianapolis 500 in 2020, doubts he is missing the chance to compete in F1.
“It’s great for Spain, first of all. Great for him to have the Indy 500 now after winning the series for a few consecutive seasons and now leading the championship as well. He’s doing great there.
“I know that most of the drivers dream about a Formula 1 seat and having a career here. But he had the opportunity in IndyCar and he maximised every single day there. He’s a legend in IndyCar and he will be a legend always in IndyCar.
“So I think he’s not missing Formula 1, and I’m very happy for him because he’s a very, very talented driver. We are just following him from here with a lot of respect and as a fan. I was watching on Sunday the race and just hoping that he would finally make it, and he did it, so I’m happy for him.”
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Yes (@come-on-kubica)
30th May 2025, 9:57
Nope.
Wer
30th May 2025, 11:46
Palou is more talented and faster than half of F1’s field.
mc4ren (@mc4ren)
30th May 2025, 10:01
Can you prove you deserve a F1 seat without driving a F1 car? I’m inclined to say no, you need to prove your value in F1.
Wer
30th May 2025, 12:13
He has driven an F1 car. So what’s your point?
Jere (@jerejj)
30th May 2025, 10:11
That’s irrelevant since he’s directly ruled himself out of running for a Cadillac drive.
SpaFrancorchamps (@spafrancorchamps)
30th May 2025, 10:42
And McLaren.
Jere (@jerejj)
30th May 2025, 12:08
In a way, yes, because he referred to racing in F1 as a whole rather any particular teams.
SpaFrancorchamps (@spafrancorchamps)
30th May 2025, 13:37
No, because he screwed McLaren over, having a contract signed with them and bailing out last minute. I hope he rots in Indy.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
30th May 2025, 10:50
Doubt it. It just doesn’t correlate. If there were paydrivers like before in F1 maybe. But arguably everyone there is on merit and was successful on their way into F1.
Maisch (@maisch)
30th May 2025, 11:42
Indy car is a very different skillset, much bigger variation in tracks, tougher and tighter wheel to wheel racing and more hardcore car handling(sliding cars and cars that move around). Quite far away from the precise F1 driving, which has much more complex/sensitive tyres, more complex car setup, especially on the aero side and the driver has to be highly involved in the development of the car. A success in oen doesnt guarantee a sucess in the other, just like that some F2 winners are great in F1, some cant really adapt sucessfully.
Matt Jones (@mattj)
30th May 2025, 11:45
In the olden days if a driver dominated IndyCar, like Palou is doing, and won a 500 Bernie would have found him a seat in F1 and it would have been a good seat. Partly because he wanted the best drivers in F1 but also to take a rival series’ best driver away.
As it is now I think he’s better staying at Ganassi. I know all drivers want F1 but does he want to be hanging around the back of the grid. I can’t see a spot for him at the top teams except maybe in Tsunoda’s seat at RedBull.
Tony Mansell (@tonymansell)
30th May 2025, 12:21
Sainz seems to be rentagob atm. Im sure he was asked but he may want to have an opinion on how hes doing vs Albon. Most expected him to wipe the floor with Albon who was ‘flattered by poor number 2 drivers’ but hes showing why Ferrari let him go, unable to put a whole weekend together, let alone a series of races. His insight and experience is invaluable but is Albon really that good or is Sainz on a downward curve
chimaera2003 (@chimaera2003)
30th May 2025, 13:50
I’m pretty sure he would do a good job given the chance, but he would be better off at Chip Ganassi rather than a bottom tier F1 team.
You don’t dominate Indycar like he does if you aren’t an exceptional driver. Adding his first oval victory at the Indy 500 proves his adaptability and he could make all the adjustments needed to be successful.
His driving style seems very smooth and strategic which I would have thought would translate into F1 really well. Alas this is all hypothetical.
Roth Man (@rdotquestionmark)
30th May 2025, 14:02
Unless Racing Bulls shock us all I can’t see it happening and equally unlikely it would work out if he did. Can’t remember the last time a driver near 30 came into the sport and did well. You need to grow with it.
No disrespect to Palou as he is sensational and I would love to see it. I miss the days of a big Indy name coming over the pond.
Gerrit
30th May 2025, 14:22
Why would anyone think that a F1 seat is the be all and end all? A top Indy driver races in a shorter season, has the ability to do other forms of racing (endurance, nascar, sprint cars, etc.) can race in the biggest race in all motorsport and enjoy real wheel to wheel racing where talent matters.
If we look at the F1 grid the only places open in the coming two or three seasons are Hamilton (age), Alonso (age) Hulkenberg (age), Colopinto (pace), Verstappen (new challenges), Tsunodo (Marko curse on the Red Bull number 2 car) and these will be filled by the super licensed pay drivers coming from F2. There is no room for a Palou to switch from Indy to F1. No matter how great a talent.
Days of an Indy car (or any other series) driver entering F1 (Like Mario Andretti, Dan Gurney, etc) in the near future are zero thanks to the super license bottle neck.
MichaelN
30th May 2025, 16:08
Palou (88), Dixon (56), Power (54), McLaughlin (50), and Newgarden (41) all have enough points to get an FIA Superlicense. Herta (32, 30 from 2024 so it’ll stay on the books for a while yet) has a good chance to get one too.
Don
30th May 2025, 14:34
He’s dominating and making great money, and obviously having the time of his life. Why would he want to go be at the back of the pack with a new F1 team and have zero chance of winning – ever? I’d absolutely LOVE to see Max go against him in an IndyCar, where he wouldn’t have a superior car advantage. It’s amazing what he is doing! Hopefully the McLaren lawsuit can be resolved and they all can move on.
jpvalverde85 (@jpvalverde85)
30th May 2025, 16:40
Too late, now Palou doesn’t need F1, he’s already a proven champion at the top of his game, wont go to F1 to fail miserably and look bad.
Neil (@neilosjames)
30th May 2025, 19:02
I think F1 is usually the dream for a driver as they’re progressing through the ranks, but once they’ve found success elsewhere, the idea of a midfield (or worse) car likely holds far less appeal. In Palou’s shoes, I’d stick with the chance to win in Indycar unless I got an offer from one of the top four teams, and I doubt he’ll get that.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
30th May 2025, 20:52
Yes, it’s too big of a risk for top teams, he’d have to join f1 with a lower end team and impress in order to get that, and given the level of indycar drivers is lower I have a hard time seeing him dominate an average f1 driver in the same team.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
30th May 2025, 20:51
Obviously if he doesn’t want to go to f1 it doesn’t matter, but if he did I believe it makes sense to give the best driver in a lower series a chance and see how he stacks up against f1 drivers, and if he ends up being a midfield driver it’s already a good result, relatively to the level of the indycar field.
But it makes sense if he prefers being a star in a lower series than “one of many” in the top series’ midfield.
Alonslow
30th May 2025, 22:06
I don’t see why he is hyped so much by Sainz, I guess because of their nationality, but Palou had his chance, he did GP3 in 2015 and 2016 and wasn’t anything special, he also did Euro F3 in 2018 and once again, nothing special.
Drivers that got to F1 like De Vries, Mick Schumacher, Albon, Leclerc, Ocon all beat him and drivers that never got a F1 chance beat him as well like Fuoco or Shwartzman.
So he can stay a Indy legend or become a F1 backmarker, the choice is pretty easy I think.