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Alex Palou back at Ganassi; Felix Rosenqvist returning to McLaren for 2023 IndyCar season

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Alex Palou and Felix Rosenqvist will return to Chip Ganassi Racing and Arrow McLaren SP respectively next season in the IndyCar Series.

After months of speculation on their futures in the NTT IndyCar Series, Alex Palou and Felix Rosenqvist both were announced as returning to their respective teams next season.

Palou will drive the No. 10 Dallara-Honda at Chip Ganassi Racing, and Rosenqvist will return with Arrow McLaren SP in a ride that Palou originally seemed ticketed for after signing with the team. In an interview before Sunday’s season finale, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown had indicated strongly that Rosenqvist likely would return, and Palou also hinted that he would be back at Ganassi.

That led to a contract dispute with Ganassi, which had picked up an option on Palou for next season. After two months of wrangling (which included the team suing Palou), a resolution was reached and announced by both sides Wednesday morning. The two sides had entered into mediation after the lawsuit was filed.

“Alex Palou will remain in the No. 10 car with Chip Ganassi Racing for the 2023 IndyCar season. The agreement affords him the opportunity to test cars in separate racing series, provided that it does not directly conflict with his IndyCar commitments. As always, we will support Alex as he seeks a second series championship with the team.”

In a series of tweets that also thanked team owner Chip Ganassi and managing director Mike Hull, Palou said he would be allowed to remain a Formula One test driver with McLaren. In its release, McLaren said Palou was testing its 2021 car. The McLaren test is in Barcelona and also includes O’Ward.

Rosenqvist will return for a third consecutive season with McLaren’s IndyCar team, joining O’Ward and Alexander Rossi (who was signed by McLaren after seven seasons with Andretti Autosport).

“There’s no better way to enter the offseason than with this news,” Rosenqvist said in a release. “I love this team, and I’m so happy to continue working with all the incredible people I’ve gotten to know over the past two seasons. With everything the team has in the pipeline, the continuing relationship with Pato and the addition of (Alexander) Rossi, we are going to bring our A-game for 2023. It will be the most exciting season for me so far. Let it be March already.”