Alex Palou has dropped hint over preferred F1 team as Red Bull target IndyCar champion

IndyCar star Alex Palou has previously spoken about moving over to Formula 1 amid reports linking him to Red Bull Racing.

Palou, 28, is a four-time IndyCar championship winner, having won in 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Currently racing for Chip Ganassi Racing, the Spaniard also won the 2025 Indy 500, one of the most prestigious events in motorsport.

As a result of his impressive IndyCar performances, Palou has often been linked with a move to F1, which is widely considered as the pinnacle of motorsport.

Recently, the 28-year-old was linked with a move to Red Bull, which will see him team up with four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen.

According to a report by US media outlet The Indianapolis Star, Red Bull want to lure Palou away from IndyCar ahead of 2026.

Alex Palou has been linked with a move to Red Bull Racing. Image: Getty

Back in 2022, Palou was linked with a move to current F1 champions McLaren but ended up staying put at Ganassi.

Speaking back in 2024, Palou appeared to state that he would only consider moving to F1 for a team that is capable of winning, having declared he would prefer to win in IndyCar than have no wins in F1.

As per GP Blog, Palou told MARCA: "For example, some people think that (Alex) Albon has had a better racing career than me. But I prefer two IndyCar titles to no Formula 1 wins."

Having previously been with McLaren as a reserve driver, Palou spoke about why he decided to go back to IndyCar instead of waiting for a chance to drive in F1.

He said earlier in the year, as per Sportskeeda: "I am too old to wait and see if someone gets hurt and that is how I can get my chance. Pato (McLaren's current reserve driver) can wait for someone to get hurt."

Could Alex Palou make a move to Formula 1? Image: Getty

The 28-year-old has also spoken about racing alongside Verstappen, having shared a track with the Dutchman during their karting days.

As reported by F1 Oversteer, Palou said earlier in the year: "Max, he was my teammate in go-karts. He is an amazing driver, and he’s probably the fastest in a single seater. So, yeah, I don’t know where I stand, but for sure not at those levels. Hopefully one day.

"I wouldn’t be at the level of fighting with Max [in F1 with a Red Bull]. I know this because I do a lot of simulator work with him and we share a lot of data, and he’s a special case."