Chip Ganassi Racing said in a Tuesday afternoon release that Alex Palou would return in 2023, but the defending IndyCar Series champion later disputed the report and said he would leave Ganassi.
Ganassi said it would exercise a contract option to extend Palou through next season.
“Alex’s track record speaks for itself,” team owner Chip Ganassi said in the release. “He’s a proven champion and one of the most formidable drivers in the world. We are very excited to continue working together.”
Chip Ganassi Racing announced today that the team has exercised its option to extend @AlexPalou through the 2023 season.
— Chip Ganassi Racing (@CGRTeams) July 12, 2022
"Alex’s track record speaks for itself. He’s a proven champion and one of the most formidable drivers in the world." - @GanassiChiphttps://t.co/PTIcqIp37N pic.twitter.com/9coZ12KhOh
The release also included a quote from Palou, which he denied approving. In a series of tweets Tuesday night, Palou said he had informed the team he is leaving for personal reasons.
“I have recently learned from the media that this afternoon, without my approval, Chip Ganassi Racing issued a press release announcing I would be driving with CGR in 2023,” Palou tweeted. “Even more surprising was that CGR’s release included a ‘quote’ which did not come from me. I did not approve that press release, and I did not author or approve that quote. As I have recently informed CGR, for personal reasons, I do not intend to continue with the team after 2022.
“This evening’s unfortunate events aside, I have great respect for the CGR team, and look forward to finishing this season strongly together.”
1/2
— Alex Palou Montalbo (@AlexPalou) July 12, 2022
I have recently learned from the media that this afternoon, without my approval, Chip Ganassi Racing issued a press release announcing that I would be driving with CGR in 2023. Even more surprising was that CGR’s release included a “quote” which did not come from me.
3/3
— Alex Palou Montalbo (@AlexPalou) July 12, 2022
This evening’s unfortunate events aside, I have great respect for the CGR team, and look forward to finishing this season strongly together.
Shortly after Palou’s tweets, McLaren Racing announced that Palou would join the organization next season (without specifying in which series).
A Chip Ganassi Racing spokesman reiterated Tuesday night to NBC Sports that “we can confirm that Alex Palou is under contract with the team through 2023.”
After capturing Ganassi’s 14th IndyCar title last year and becoming the series’ first Spanish champion, Palou, 25, is ranked fourth in the 2022 points standings with four podiums through nine races.
The third-year driver remains winless this year after scoring three victories last season at Portland, Road America and Barber Motorsports Park (where he won the 2021 opener, marking his first trip to victory lane in IndyCar).
Palou joined Ganassi last year in the No. 10 Dallara-Honda after a rookie season at Dale Coyne Racing.
Palou will race on the streets of Toronto this Sunday for the first time as IndyCar returns to Canada for the first time since 2019.