The IndyCar champion is on the Austrian team's radar, although his entourage and Chip Ganassi deny any contact.

Red Bull's interests

Alex Palou's name is once again being mentioned in Formula 1 circles. According to US media outlet IndyStar, Red Bull Racing is exploring the possibility of signing the four-time IndyCar champion as Max Verstappen's teammate starting in 2026, a key year for the category with the introduction of new technical regulations and the Austrian team's partnership with Ford as its engine supplier.

Palou, at the peak of his career

The interest comes at the peak of Palou's sporting career. At 28, the driver from Sant Antoni de Vilamajor has become one of the dominant forces in IndyCar. This season, he won his fourth title, his third in a row, and also achieved one of his remaining dreams: winning the Indianapolis 500 for the first time. With eight victories in 16 races, Palou has made it clear that his level places him among the elite of world motorsport.

Although he has repeatedly said that Formula 1 is no longer an obsession, the Spaniard is keeping his options open. “Today, there aren't many seats that would make me want to change. It's hard to find something better than my car at Ganassi,” he told IndyStar a few months ago. However, a call from Red Bull could change the picture.

The situation at Red Bull

Red Bull's potential interest comes at a difficult time for the team. After dominating Formula 1 for several seasons, the team is going through a turbulent period: Adrian Newey's departure to Aston Martin, the departure of key figures such as Jonathan Wheatley, and the dismissal of Christian Horner have created instability. In sporting terms, the team is currently in fourth place in the 2025 constructors' championship, far behind Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes.

The team's almost exclusive reliance on Verstappen, who has secured all of the team's podium finishes and victories this year, highlights the need for a competitive second driver. Yuki Tsunoda has only contributed seven points all season, a performance well below expectations.

A clause that sustains the dream

Although everyone involved denies the talks, there is one key point: Palou's contract with Ganassi includes an exit clause for F1, provided that a substantial compensation fee is paid. That detail keeps alive the possibility of the Catalan making the leap in 2026.

If it happens, Palou and Verstappen would form one of the most powerful lineups on the grid: two champions with four titles each, coming from different worlds but with a common ambition. It would also be a monumental challenge for the Spaniard, who would have to adapt to F1 in the midst of a technical revolution and measure himself against one of the most dominant drivers.

For now, everything remains in the realm of rumor. But the simple fact that Red Bull is looking at Palou confirms the status achieved by the Catalan driver: that of a talent capable of arousing the interest of Formula 1 at one of its most uncertain moments.