Daytona 24 champ gives blunt Alex Palou to Cadillac verdict

Reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou has been sporadically linked to a Cadillac F1 seat in 2026. The Spaniard is having his way in the 2025 IndyCar season and already has one hand on a third consecutive title and fourth overall. At such a junction, a two-time Daytona 24 Hours winner has given his opinion on whether Palou should consider an F1 switch next year.

In a recent interview with RN365, Renger van der Zande, who had Alex Palou as his teammate at Meyer Shank Racing for the 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona, commented on the IndyCar driver's Cadillac link-up. When asked if the Spaniard is on Cadillac's driver prospect list, van der Zande replied:

"Yes, definitely."

However, the 2016 IMSA champ warned Palou against even considering signing for the American team.

"If I were Palou, I wouldn't sign for Cadillac, as it won't be at the front. If I were Chip Ganassi, I wouldn't let Palou go, but if I were Cadillac, I would go for Palou. But he and Chip Ganassi should say: 'Thank you for the offer, but I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing.'"

Palou previously attempted to enter F1 by signing a deal with McLaren Racing, which announced him as its reserve driver for 2023. However, the partnership turned sour when he refused to drive for Arrow McLaren in IndyCar in 2024 despite signing a contract. Instead, the Spaniard chose to stay with Chip Ganassi Racing.

While McLaren's lawsuit against Alex Palou is still ongoing in the UK commercial courts, his decision proved to be a game-changer. He won the 2024 IndyCar championship with them and his first Indy 500 this year as well.

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Alex Palou shares his unfiltered feelings about his F1 dream and a move to Cadillac

Chip Ganassi with Alex Palou at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix - Source: Getty

Alex Palou grew up racing in the European circuit and naturally had his eyes set on driving in F1. But when opportunities looked bleak, the Spaniard headed to IndyCar, debuting with Dale Coyne Racing in 2020. After a decent first rookie season, he signed for Chip Ganassi Racing, and the rest is history.

Having won the 2024 championship, he already possesses 40 points on his FIA super license, making him eligible for an F1 seat. However, Palou no longer desires to drive in F1. Ahead of the 2025 Indy 500 in May, the 28-year-old explained why that is the case.

"I would put it as, I’m not looking to go there. I had my half a chance, or maybe more like a 10 percent chance (with McLaren), and it didn’t work out. That’s fine, and I’m glad that I have an amazing opportunity here, and it’s going well. I’ve had no contacts [in F1]. I’m not looking for a change."

Palou also recently spoke about the Cadillac F1 rumors and why it isn't a serious consideration for him.

"It’s being primarily led by the fans. I’m following it quite calmly from the perspective of an F1 spectator," he explained via Auto Motor und Sport.

Alex Palou has won five of seven races in the 2025 IndyCar season. He is leading the championship by 90 points over runner-up Arrow McLaren's Pato O'Ward, who, coincidentally, became McLaren's F1 reserve driver when he left.

The Mario Andretti-led Cadillac team's other driver prospects include Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu, and Palou's IndyCar rival Colton Herta. However, the Andretti Global driver is reportedly de-prioritized in that list he once led.