F1 Stars Sainz and Alonso Praise Palou’s Historic Indy 500 Victory
Alex Palou’s wild victory at the Indianapolis 500 sent shockwaves through the motorsports world. As the first Spanish driver to take the checkered flag at Indy, Palou’s name is suddenly everywhere.
Fans are buzzing. Formula 1 drivers are paying attention too.
This post digs into what F1 stars Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso had to say about Palou’s big win. We’ll also poke around the idea of Palou moving to Formula 1 and whether that’s really the smartest call for him right now.
High Praise from Formula 1 Stars
Contents
During the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, both Williams’ Carlos Sainz and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso fielded questions about Palou’s historic Indy 500 win. These guys know a thing or two about Formula 1, and their admiration for Palou came through loud and clear.
Carlos Sainz on Alex Palou
Sainz, who used to race with Palou in karting, didn’t hold back. He said anyone who can win the Indy 500 should get a shot at F1.
Sainz pointed out how Palou has been dominating in America, which is no easy feat.
*I always rated Alex very highly because I was his teammate in cadet karting and he was very quick! But honestly speaking, what he’s doing in America is something really admirable. I think to dominate the way he’s dominating, you have to be very good.*
Fernando Alonso’s Take
Fernando Alonso, who’s tried his hand at the Indy 500 himself, agreed with Sainz. He praised Palou’s consistency and said Palou’s already a legend in IndyCar.
Alonso sounded genuinely happy for Palou and tipped his cap to the effort it takes to pull off those results.
*To have the Indy 500 now after winning the series in IndyCar for a few consecutive seasons, and now leading the championship as well. So he’s doing great there.*
The Allure of Formula 1
Palou’s IndyCar success is obvious, but the F1 question keeps popping up. Formula 1 has the global spotlight, the tech, the history—it’s a hard thing for any racer to ignore.
But swapping IndyCar for F1? Not as simple as it sounds.
Potential Opportunities in Formula 1
With Palou’s record, you have to imagine F1 teams are at least looking his way. The 2026 engine and technical shakeup could scramble the usual order and open doors for fresh faces.
Cadillac, which is connected to Andretti Global from IndyCar, might want to bring Palou into the F1 fold.
Key Points:
- Palou has won five of the first six races of the 2025 NTT IndyCar Season
- He’s already considered one of the all-time greats in IndyCar
- New F1 regulations in 2026 could create opportunities for drivers like Palou
Challenges of Transitioning to Formula 1
Of course, making the leap from IndyCar to F1 isn’t a walk in the park. The cars feel different, the tracks are another world, and the learning curve is steep.
There’s also the reality that Palou might only get a seat with a midfield team, which could be a step down from his top spot at Chip Ganassi Racing.
*Formula 1 is a completely different discipline, different world, but I don’t have anything else than respect and admiration for what Alex is doing in Indy.* – Carlos Sainz
IndyCar’s Growing Popularity
IndyCar’s been on a roll lately. The racing is tight, the drivers are from everywhere, and fans seem to love it more every year.
Palou’s dominance has only added to the buzz, and honestly, it’s hard not to see him as one of the series’ biggest stars right now.
- Continued success and dominance
- Established legacy and reputation
- Growing popularity of the series
- Competitive and exciting racing environment
Conclusion: The Future of Alex Palou
Alex Palou’s Indianapolis 500 win has thrown him straight into the spotlight. His future in motorsports feels wide open right now.
Will he stick with IndyCar, or maybe take a shot at Formula 1? With Palou’s drive and raw talent, it’s hard not to imagine more big moments ahead.
If you want more takes from Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso, check out the full article on OutKick.
