Getting your shot at a Formula 1 seat is a dream for any racing driver, irrespective of the category you’re racing. However, in reality, that chance seldom ever comes. For Spanish racing ace, Alex Palou, through his IndyCar exploits, it seemed his shot at F1 was palpable. That being said, through his own admission, one massive career choice has actually meant he’s goodbye to that opportunity forever.

Palou is an IndyCar champion, and more than that, he’s proved himself to be a fearless and pacey driver. Needless to say, McLaren jumped on the opportunity to sign the 26-year-old onto their IndyCar project with the enticing promises of a long shot at their coveted F1 team. Lo and behold, Palou then decided to snub the British team and seemingly dishonored his contract to now race for Chip Ganassi.

McLaren lawsuit came with a dooming reality check for Alex Palou

McLaren won’t let this go lightly. A $20,000,000 lawsuit has already been filed against the Spaniard. But while the legal consequences of his decision to leave McLaren stranded don’t bother Palou as much, it is another brutal reality that he has had to accept.

Palou was quoted by Autosport.com as explaining, “[The] door opened a little bit with McLaren. It was amazing. I got to test the [F1] cars and also Practice One at COTA last year, which was amazing. The opportunity was great, but there was nothing else there saying, ‘Oh, you will have a car’.”

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“At the same time, if I was 20, maybe I would’ve waited. But I’m not 20, I’m 26. And on that side, I don’t know if there’s been somebody [aged] 30 getting into F1.” But Palou hasn’t given up on that dream completely.

“So, next year I’ll be 27. If an [F1] opportunity comes in the future, which is like really, really small chances, I’ll think about it for sure, 100%”

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On the contractual side of things, however, that door to F1 hasn’t really closed for Palou at McLaren.

Palou still McLaren’s F1 go to says Zak Brown

Zak Brown was the mastermind who got Palou into the McLaren stable and the one who eventually lost him. But even though the relationship between the duo has soured, contractually, Palou still has the option to drive a McLaren F1 car.

Brown was quoted as telling The Race, “He’s still our reserve driver. So that’s changed because I don’t think he’s going to show up in Singapore, which he’s obligated to. But we have had a couple of different reserve drivers during the year. So we’re now going to have to extend that.“

Do you think Alex Palou was correct in snubbing McLaren in the way that he did?

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