Part of IndyCar’s new young-gun set along with Herta and O’Ward, the Spaniard came to the US via the relatively obscure route of the Japanese Super Formula Series, but has since taken IndyCar by storm.
After a solid rookie year at Dale Coyne Racing, Chip Ganassi opted to take a punt on the Spaniard, and was richly rewarded: Palou won last year’s IndyCar title in just his second season, looking already like an experienced, assured pro.
With the Spaniard initially being signed on a two-year deal with an option, rumours persisted that Palou could be off elsewhere for 2023, the main suitor being McLaren.
On July 12, all hell broke loose: Ganassi put out a press release announcing it had signed up Palou for 2023, which the Spaniard then rejected, saying via social media that the team had fabricated a quote from him endorsing the extension.
Hours later, McLaren then released a statement saying it had in fact signed Palou, but this only confirmed him as part of its roster, not specifically to its IndyCar team.
Included in the deal – if it goes ahead – will be the testing of an old McLaren car, similar to Herta, and potential FP appearances also, with Palou having an apparent desire to make it to F1.
With the reigning IndyCar champion’s future looking yet to be set in stone, expect this story to go some distance yet.
Oscar Piastri
The brilliant Oscar Piastri is on the sidelines in 2022
Xavi Bonilla / DPPI
One of motor sport’s hottest properties, Oscar Piastri is in the bizarre situation of being regarded as perhaps the most promising new racing driver in a generation, but being without a race seat.
This comes mainly in part to the bottleneck created by a limited number of F1 seats and drivers such as his Alpine colleague Fernando Alonso going longer and longer in their careers.
As a result, the Enstone junior – the current reigning F2 champion – is sitting on the sidelines as its reserve driver.
With Esteban Ocon in the first season of a three-year deal with Alpine (after his initially one-year contract) and Alonso looking likely to carry on next year, chances are looking slim for Piastri – unless McLaren has a berth.
The Australian joined the Woking team’s pool of reserve drivers for 2022, and is thought to be one of the potential options to replace Ricciardo.
As well as his undoubted ability, Piastri’s experience of the European racing ladder makes him an attractive option potentially over his IndyCar rivals should McLaren consider him.
Pierre Gasly
Gasly’s drive after Red Bull demotion took him to the top step in Monza
Grand Prix Photo
Although Gasly was recently announced as continuing at AlphaTauri for 2023, rumours persist that he could still be a viable choice for McLaren next year.
Since being dropped by Red Bull in 2019 and demoted back to its junior squad, the Frenchman has impressed many with his mental strength and on-track performances.
This culminated with a win at the 2020 Italian GP for AlphaTauri, cementing Gasly’s reputation as one of the fastest drivers on the grid.
With Red Bull opting to extend Sergio Perez’s contract for another two years, there looks to be no room at the Milton Keynes inn.
Gasly might consider McLaren as offering more career progression, and could yet be lured away from Faenza.
Alex Albon
Albon: fast gaining admirers
Williams
Currently undergoing his own Gasly-style redemption story, Albon is currently rebuilding his reputation after being dropped by the Red Bull team also.
Placed at Williams for 2022, the Thai driver has impressed, easily outperforming longtime Grove incumbent Nicholas Latifi and scoring points for the team twice.
As a result, Albon is now being touted too as possible replacement for Ricciardo.