Palou Must Pay, Unser Family Honored at Test, Wienie 500 Returns to Indy
The ongoing NTT INDYCAR SERIES drama concerning the agreement signed by both [now] four-time series champion Alex Palou and the McLaren INDYCAR and F1 team management was one that made folks shrug their shoulders when it was announced. The premise was that Palou would race in the INDYCAR series but also have practice time in F1, eventually slotting into that seat. It’s similar to what Patricio O’Ward signed prior to Palou’s commitment.
It was just about four years ago that Palou had the carrot of Formula One dangled in front of him to entice the driver to leave Chip Ganassi Racing, where he earned his first INDYCAR title after a single year with Dale Coyne Racing (and his three subsequent ones) for McLaren’s INDYCAR and F1 programs. In theory, Palou would drive one of the squad’s three INDYCAR machines, yet have F1 practice time and, essentially move into the F1 team when the time was right. It didn’t work out that way.
Following the 2022 season, when the title came to Will Power of Team Penske, Palou was courted by McLaren. The Spaniard was always partial to F1; he wasn’t knowledgeable enough about the ways of INDYCAR to make a proper decision for his future. The carrot was there; he wanted to be in F1 like those that came before him, including Fernando Alonso, who had a difficult time in INDYCAR for both of his Indianapolis 500 attempts (so far). So without a contract extension in hand with Chip Ganassi Racing, Palou signed for McLaren.
And regretted it almost immediately. Ganassi decided to take his option on Palou and that put the legal wheels in motion. They ended this past week with the decision in U.K. court that Palou is responsible for, at minimum, a $12 million payment to McLaren. Could this courtroom drama have been avoided? Possibly, but when there are two very strong personalities at work – Alex Palou (together with his attorneys) and McLaren CEO Zak Brown, the best solution was to have the attorneys deal with the problem, so as not to infringe on both parties’ day jobs.
With the case decided, both parties are making statements about it. McLaren insiders have said that Palou’s issues with the deal could have been remedied had he spoken up in 2023. Ganassi has what he wants, which is Palou’s services for, likely, as many years as the driver wants to stay. He’s also got Sir Scott Dixon available to continue Palou’s education, if that’s actually taking place. It seems he’s learned a lot since joining Ganassi’s squad.
Initially, McLaren was looking for more than $20 million in damages for eight claims in filed. Five of those were granted and, while three didn’t make the cut, the F1/INDYCAR team is looking for legal fees. If so awarded, the actual amount could end up being more than $20 million; it’s thought the Ganassi team will participate in the payment of this decision.
Palou’s comments after the decision was announced amounted to: “The court has dismissed in their entirety McLaren’s Formula One claims against me, which once stood at almost $15 million,” he said. “I’d like to thank Otmas Szafnauer (former Aston Martin and Alpine team principal) for his expert assistance. The court’s decision shows the claims against me were completely overblown. It’s disappointing that so much time and cost was spent fighting these claims, some of which the court found had no value, simply because I chose not to drive for McLaren after I learned they wouldn’t be able to give me an F1 drive.”
And there is the crux of this whole debacle. As for Ganassi, “Alex has our full support, now and always. We know the character of our driver and the strength of our team, and nothing changes that. While we respect the legal process, our focus is exactly where it should be: on racing, on winning, and on doing what this organization has always done best, competing at the highest level.”
In the midst of F1 launch season, one where every one of the 11 teams is dealing with new strictures in the sport, McLaren and Brown are happy to see this is over. Speaking with Racer magazine, Brown noted, “We never wanted to end up in court and tried to find a solution at the time, but in the end Alex – supported by a large legal team – sadly left us no option.” While the court focused on commercial entities and the impact of the agreement, “We treat each other with respect, we have honest conversations, even if these are sometimes difficult, and we stay true to our word,” Brown stated.
Palou, like teammate Dixon, spent the week in Daytona Beach, Fla., where they both raced with Acura stalwarts Meyer Shank Racing in the premier GTP class of IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Palou’s No. 93 was awarded Rolex 24 at Daytona pole position after the No. 31 Cadillac’s pole was rescinded due to technical violations; The No. 93 finished fifth on the lead lap.
Palou will join the balance of the INDYCAR teams, we believe, when they go to Phoenix Raceway for an open test that honors the Unser family. Scheduled for February 17-18 on the one-mile oval, the test intends to help teams prep for the Good Ranchers 250 on March 7. While the Tuesday sessions are closed, fans are invited to Wednesday’s tests – for free – with an autograph session shortly before 1PM MT. In INDYCAR, Phoenix is the home track for the Unser clan, the closest to their Albuquerque base. Al Unser won six INDYCAR races at Phoenix, together with six pole positions; brother Bobby Unser has four wins on the mile oval and a track-record 11 pole positions. Al Unser Jr. has been runner-up four times at Phoenix.
As INDYCAR prepares to start its 17-race 2026 season on the first of March in St Petersburg, FL, As always there are changes in team distributions, crew chiefs et al, but the largest news coming from Indianapolis, where INDYCAR is holding two days of media interviews and photography, is the great news that the Oscar Mayer Wienie 500 is returning in 2026 after its initial “race” last year prior to the Indianapolis 500. Once again being held on Carb Day, the 22nd of May – the 500 takes place on the 24th – this is the unofficial kickoff to summer, Indianapolis Motor Speedway contends. With 72 million hot dogs consumed every Memorial Day weekend, six Wienermobiles will once again contend to be “Top Dog” in one of the most fun activities beyond the 500 itself.
Each Wienermobile represents a different sector in the country. Last year it was Slaw Dog (Southeast) in Victory Lane, but that machine will have competition from Chi Dog (Midwest), New York Dog (East), Chili Dog (South) and Seattle Dog (Northwest. After last year’s disappointing performance, the Sonoran Dog is officially relegated out due to not “cutting the mustard,” leaving a spot open for a new regional dog. Race lovers can visit Instagram’s @Wienermobile to vote for the first-ever ‘Pick Your Dog’ Wienie 500 bracket.