It’s driver signing season in IndyCar, with two signings made today by both McLaren SP and Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR). The problem, however, is that both teams announced the signing of the same driver, 2021 champion Alex Palou.
It was 3.30pm on the East Coast of the United States when CGR issued a release stating that they had exercised a contract extension option which sees Palou remain at the outfit for the 2023 season.
Cue three hours later, when Palou took to Twitter to denounce this, revealing he had recently advised the outfit he would not be staying for the next season due to personal reasons. He also made note that he never made the comments that were quoted in the release.
Five minutes after these Tweets were made, McLaren SP issued a release announcing the Spaniard as their new signing for the 2023 series, where he will partner Pato O’Ward and Alexander Rossi in the new third seat for the outfit. This is the same seat that Scott Dixon was rumored to be filling next season, with Palou’s signing all but quashing those rumours.
Palou, 25, went on to share a Tweet welcoming him to the team and share his excitement for joining , where he will fulfill duties as a Formula One test driver in addition to his full-time IndyCar role.
The reigning champion currently lies in fourth in this years standings, only 35 points off series leader Marcus Ericsson. Kiwis Scott Dixon and Scott McLaughlin sit in 6th and 7th place respectively.
There are still three months of racing left in the 2022 championship before these changes take place. Todays confusion, however, will make for an interesting time for Palou as he sees out the remainder of his contract with CGR.
