Topzle Topzle

Álex Palou

Updated: Wikipedia source

Álex Palou

Álex Palou Montalbo (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈaləks ˈpalɔw monˈtalbu]; born 1 April 1997) is a Spanish racing driver who drives for Chip Ganassi Racing in the IndyCar Series, where he won the 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025 championships and the 2025 Indianapolis 500. He is the first Spanish racing driver to win a national championship in American open-wheel racing history and also the first Spaniard to win in the Indianapolis 500 and the GP3 Series. He is one of three drivers to have debuted with Chip Ganassi Racing by winning their first race (along with Michael Andretti and Dan Wheldon). In the first 55 races contested in the series, he became the third-best driver statistically behind Mario Andretti and A. J. Foyt, with eight wins, twenty podium finishes, and thirty-seven top-ten finishes. He is the fourth driver to win three consecutive championships, after Ted Horn, Sébastien Bourdais, and Dario Franchitti, as well as the youngest four-time champion in IndyCar history (28 years, 4 months, and 9 days). He was a reserve driver for the McLaren Formula One team in 2022 and 2023, making his debut in free practice for the 2022 United States Grand Prix.

Infobox

Nationality
Spanish
Born
Álex Palou Montalbo (1997-04-01) 1 April 1997 Sant Antoni de Vilamajor, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Spouse
Esther Valle (m. 2023)
Children
1
Team
No. 10 (Chip Ganassi Racing)
Best finish
24th in 2022
First race
2020 Genesys 300 (Texas)
Last race
2026 Sonsio Grand Prix (Indianapolis G .)
First win
2021 Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama (Birmingham)
Last win
2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach (Long Beach)
Wins
0
Debut season
2022
Current team
Acura Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian
Racing licence
FIA Silver (2018–2021) FIA Gold (2022–2023) FIA Platinum (2024–)
Car number
93
Former teams
Cadillac Racing
Starts
5
Podiums
1
Poles
0
Fastest laps
0
Years
2024
Teams
Cadillac-Ganassi
Best finish
7th (2024)
2019 2019 2018 2017 2017 2017 2015–2016 2014
Super Formula Super GT FIA F3 European FIA Formula 2 Formula V8 3 Japanese F3 GP3 Series Euroformula Open

Tables

· Karting record › Karting career summary
2005
2005
Season
2005
Series
Spanish Championship — Alevín
Position
3rd
2006
2006
Season
2006
Series
Spanish Championship — Alevín
Position
1st
Copa Campeones — Cadet
Copa Campeones — Cadet
Season
Copa Campeones — Cadet
Team
1st
2007
2007
Season
2007
Series
Trofeo delle Industrie — Minikart
Position
8th
2008
2008
Season
2008
Series
Spanish Championship — Cadet
Position
13th
Torneo Industrie — Minikart
Torneo Industrie — Minikart
Season
Torneo Industrie — Minikart
Series
Ramon Palou
Team
5th
Euro Trophy — 60 Mini
Euro Trophy — 60 Mini
Season
Euro Trophy — 60 Mini
Team
2nd
2009
2009
Season
2009
Series
Spanish Championship — Cadet
Position
3rd
2010
2010
Season
2010
Series
Spanish Championship — KF3
Position
5th
Copa Campeones — KF3
Copa Campeones — KF3
Season
Copa Campeones — KF3
Team
8th
2011
2011
Season
2011
Series
Spanish Championship — KF3
Position
1st
South Garda Winter Cup — KF3
South Garda Winter Cup — KF3
Season
South Garda Winter Cup — KF3
Series
Genikart Lpt
Team
20th
WSK Master Series — KF3
WSK Master Series — KF3
Season
WSK Master Series — KF3
Team
20th
WSK Euro Series — KF3
WSK Euro Series — KF3
Season
WSK Euro Series — KF3
Team
14th
CIK-FIA World Cup — KF3
CIK-FIA World Cup — KF3
Season
CIK-FIA World Cup — KF3
Team
8th
2012
2012
Season
2012
Series
Spanish Championship — KF3
Team
CRG
Position
1st
Copa Campeones — KZ2
Copa Campeones — KZ2
Season
Copa Campeones — KZ2
Series
2nd
South Garda Winter Cup — KF3
South Garda Winter Cup — KF3
Season
South Garda Winter Cup — KF3
Series
11th
Andrea Margutti Trophy — KF3
Andrea Margutti Trophy — KF3
Season
Andrea Margutti Trophy — KF3
Series
3rd
WSK Master Series — KF3
WSK Master Series — KF3
Season
WSK Master Series — KF3
Series
6th
WSK Euro Series — KF3
WSK Euro Series — KF3
Season
WSK Euro Series — KF3
Series
1st
CIK-FIA European Championship — KF3
CIK-FIA European Championship — KF3
Season
CIK-FIA European Championship — KF3
Series
2nd
CIK-FIA World Cup — KF3
CIK-FIA World Cup — KF3
Season
CIK-FIA World Cup — KF3
Series
4th
2013
2013
Season
2013
Series
Spanish Championship — KF2
Team
CRG
Position
1st
WSK Euro Series — KF
WSK Euro Series — KF
Season
WSK Euro Series — KF
Series
16th
CIK-FIA European Championship — KF
CIK-FIA European Championship — KF
Season
CIK-FIA European Championship — KF
Series
10th
CIK-FIA World Cup — KF
CIK-FIA World Cup — KF
Season
CIK-FIA World Cup — KF
Series
16th
2014
2014
Season
2014
Series
South Garda Winter Cup — KZ2
Team
CRG
Position
17th
Season
Series
Team
Position
2005
Spanish Championship — Alevín
3rd
2006
Spanish Championship — Alevín
1st
Copa Campeones — Cadet
1st
2007
Trofeo delle Industrie — Minikart
8th
2008
Spanish Championship — Cadet
13th
Torneo Industrie — Minikart
Ramon Palou
5th
Euro Trophy — 60 Mini
2nd
2009
Spanish Championship — Cadet
3rd
2010
Spanish Championship — KF3
5th
Copa Campeones — KF3
8th
2011
Spanish Championship — KF3
1st
South Garda Winter Cup — KF3
Genikart Lpt
20th
WSK Master Series — KF3
20th
WSK Euro Series — KF3
14th
CIK-FIA World Cup — KF3
8th
2012
Spanish Championship — KF3
CRG
1st
Copa Campeones — KZ2
2nd
South Garda Winter Cup — KF3
11th
Andrea Margutti Trophy — KF3
3rd
WSK Master Series — KF3
6th
WSK Euro Series — KF3
1st
CIK-FIA European Championship — KF3
2nd
CIK-FIA World Cup — KF3
4th
2013
Spanish Championship — KF2
CRG
1st
WSK Euro Series — KF
16th
CIK-FIA European Championship — KF
10th
CIK-FIA World Cup — KF
16th
2014
South Garda Winter Cup — KZ2
CRG
17th
· Racing record › Career summary
2014
2014
Season
2014
Series
Euroformula Open Championship
Team
Campos Racing
Races
16
Wins
3
Poles
3
F/Laps
4
Podiums
11
Points
242
Position
3rd
Spanish Formula 3 Championship
Spanish Formula 3 Championship
Season
Spanish Formula 3 Championship
Series
6
Team
1
Races
1
Wins
1
Poles
5
F/Laps
105
Podiums
2nd
Macau Grand Prix
Macau Grand Prix
Season
Macau Grand Prix
Series
Fortec Motorsports
Team
1
Races
0
Wins
0
Poles
0
F/Laps
0
Podiums
N/A
Points
16th
BRDC Formula 4 Championship
BRDC Formula 4 Championship
Season
BRDC Formula 4 Championship
Series
Sean Walkinshaw Racing – Caterham F1
Team
3
Races
0
Wins
0
Poles
0
F/Laps
0
Podiums
48
Points
23rd
2015
2015
Season
2015
Series
GP3 Series
Team
Campos Racing
Races
18
Wins
1
Poles
0
F/Laps
1
Podiums
1
Points
51
Position
10th
Formula Renault 2 Northern European Cup
Formula Renault 2 Northern European Cup
Season
Formula Renault 2 Northern European Cup
Series
Inter Europol
Team
1
Races
0
Wins
0
Poles
0
F/Laps
0
Podiums
0
Points
NC
2016
2016
Season
2016
Series
GP3 Series
Team
Campos Racing
Races
18
Wins
0
Poles
0
F/Laps
0
Podiums
1
Points
22
Position
15th
Ferrari Challenge Europe - Trofeo Pirelli (Pro)
Ferrari Challenge Europe - Trofeo Pirelli (Pro)
Season
Ferrari Challenge Europe - Trofeo Pirelli (Pro)
Series
StileF Squadra Corse
Team
2
Races
1
Wins
2
Poles
1
F/Laps
2
Podiums
39
Points
7th
2017
2017
Season
2017
Series
Japanese Formula 3 Championship
Team
Threebond with Drago Corse
Races
20
Wins
3
Poles
5
F/Laps
3
Podiums
10
Points
102
Position
3rd
Macau Grand Prix
Macau Grand Prix
Season
Macau Grand Prix
Series
1
Team
0
Races
0
Wins
0
Poles
0
F/Laps
N/A
Podiums
11th
World Series Formula V8 3
World Series Formula V8 3
Season
World Series Formula V8 3
Series
Teo Martín Motorsport
Team
6
Races
1
Wins
3
Poles
1
F/Laps
3
Podiums
68
Points
10th
FIA Formula 2 Championship
FIA Formula 2 Championship
Season
FIA Formula 2 Championship
Series
Campos Racing
Team
4
Races
0
Wins
0
Poles
0
F/Laps
0
Podiums
5
Points
21st
2018
2018
Season
2018
Series
FIA Formula 3 European Championship
Team
Hitech Bullfrog GP
Races
30
Wins
0
Poles
0
F/Laps
2
Podiums
7
Points
204
Position
7th
Macau Grand Prix
Macau Grand Prix
Season
Macau Grand Prix
Series
B-Max Racing Team
Team
1
Races
0
Wins
0
Poles
0
F/Laps
0
Podiums
N/A
Points
DNF
2019
2019
Season
2019
Series
Super GT - GT300
Team
McLaren Customer Racing Japan
Races
7
Wins
0
Poles
1
F/Laps
0
Podiums
1
Points
20
Position
15th
Super Formula
Super Formula
Season
Super Formula
Series
TCS Nakajima Racing
Team
7
Races
1
Wins
3
Poles
2
F/Laps
1
Podiums
26
Points
3rd
2020
2020
Season
2020
Series
IndyCar Series
Team
Dale Coyne Racing with Team Goh
Races
14
Wins
0
Poles
0
F/Laps
1
Podiums
1
Points
238
Position
16th
2021
2021
Season
2021
Series
IndyCar Series
Team
Chip Ganassi Racing
Races
16
Wins
3
Poles
1
F/Laps
3
Podiums
8
Points
549
Position
1st
2022
2022
Season
2022
Series
IndyCar Series
Team
Chip Ganassi Racing
Races
17
Wins
1
Poles
0
F/Laps
3
Podiums
6
Points
510
Position
5th
IMSA SportsCar Championship - DPi
IMSA SportsCar Championship - DPi
Season
IMSA SportsCar Championship - DPi
Series
Cadillac Racing
Team
1
Races
0
Wins
0
Poles
0
F/Laps
0
Podiums
266
Points
24th
2023
2023
Season
2023
Series
IndyCar Series
Team
Chip Ganassi Racing
Races
17
Wins
5
Poles
2
F/Laps
4
Podiums
10
Points
656
Position
1st
Formula One
Formula One
Season
Formula One
Series
McLaren F1 Team
Team
Reserve driver
2024
2024
Season
2024
Series
IndyCar Series
Team
Chip Ganassi Racing
Races
17
Wins
2
Poles
3
F/Laps
1
Podiums
6
Points
544
Position
1st
IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTP
IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTP
Season
IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTP
Series
Cadillac Racing
Team
1
Races
0
Wins
0
Poles
0
F/Laps
0
Podiums
242
Points
34th
FIA World Endurance Championship - Hypercar
FIA World Endurance Championship - Hypercar
Season
FIA World Endurance Championship - Hypercar
Series
1
Team
0
Races
0
Wins
0
Poles
0
F/Laps
12
Podiums
26th
GT World Challenge America - Pro
GT World Challenge America - Pro
Season
GT World Challenge America - Pro
Series
Mercedes-AMG Team Lone Star Racing
Team
1
Races
0
Wins
0
Poles
0
F/Laps
0
Podiums
0
Points
NC†
2025
2025
Season
2025
Series
IndyCar Series
Team
Chip Ganassi Racing
Races
17
Wins
8
Poles
6
F/Laps
6
Podiums
14
Points
711
Position
1st
IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTP
IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTP
Season
IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTP
Series
Acura Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian
Team
2
Races
0
Wins
0
Poles
0
F/Laps
1
Podiums
587
Points
28th
2026
2026
Season
2026
Series
IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTP
Team
Acura Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian
Races
2
Wins
0
Poles
1
F/Laps
0
Podiums
0
Points
567
Position
5th*
IndyCar Series
IndyCar Series
Season
IndyCar Series
Series
Chip Ganassi Racing
Team
6
Races
3
Wins
3
Poles
2
F/Laps
4
Podiums
237*
Points
1st*
Season
Series
Team
Races
Wins
Poles
F/Laps
Podiums
Points
Position
2014
Euroformula Open Championship
Campos Racing
16
3
3
4
11
242
3rd
Spanish Formula 3 Championship
6
1
1
1
5
105
2nd
Macau Grand Prix
Fortec Motorsports
1
0
0
0
0
N/A
16th
BRDC Formula 4 Championship
Sean Walkinshaw Racing – Caterham F1
3
0
0
0
0
48
23rd
2015
GP3 Series
Campos Racing
18
1
0
1
1
51
10th
Formula Renault 2 Northern European Cup
Inter Europol
1
0
0
0
0
0
NC
2016
GP3 Series
Campos Racing
18
0
0
0
1
22
15th
Ferrari Challenge Europe - Trofeo Pirelli (Pro)
StileF Squadra Corse
2
1
2
1
2
39
7th
2017
Japanese Formula 3 Championship
Threebond with Drago Corse
20
3
5
3
10
102
3rd
Macau Grand Prix
1
0
0
0
0
N/A
11th
World Series Formula V8 3
Teo Martín Motorsport
6
1
3
1
3
68
10th
FIA Formula 2 Championship
Campos Racing
4
0
0
0
0
5
21st
2018
FIA Formula 3 European Championship
Hitech Bullfrog GP
30
0
0
2
7
204
7th
Macau Grand Prix
B-Max Racing Team
1
0
0
0
0
N/A
DNF
2019
Super GT - GT300
McLaren Customer Racing Japan
7
0
1
0
1
20
15th
Super Formula
TCS Nakajima Racing
7
1
3
2
1
26
3rd
2020
IndyCar Series
Dale Coyne Racing with Team Goh
14
0
0
1
1
238
16th
2021
IndyCar Series
Chip Ganassi Racing
16
3
1
3
8
549
1st
2022
IndyCar Series
Chip Ganassi Racing
17
1
0
3
6
510
5th
IMSA SportsCar Championship - DPi
Cadillac Racing
1
0
0
0
0
266
24th
2023
IndyCar Series
Chip Ganassi Racing
17
5
2
4
10
656
1st
Formula One
McLaren F1 Team
Reserve driver
2024
IndyCar Series
Chip Ganassi Racing
17
2
3
1
6
544
1st
IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTP
Cadillac Racing
1
0
0
0
0
242
34th
FIA World Endurance Championship - Hypercar
1
0
0
0
0
12
26th
GT World Challenge America - Pro
Mercedes-AMG Team Lone Star Racing
1
0
0
0
0
0
NC†
2025
IndyCar Series
Chip Ganassi Racing
17
8
6
6
14
711
1st
IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTP
Acura Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian
2
0
0
0
1
587
28th
2026
IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTP
Acura Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian
2
0
1
0
0
567
5th*
IndyCar Series
Chip Ganassi Racing
6
3
3
2
4
237*
1st*
· Racing record › Complete Euroformula Open Championship results
2014
2014
Year
2014
Entrant
Campos Racing
1
NÜR 1 1
2
NÜR 2 Ret
3
ALG 1 3
4
ALG 2 3
5
JER 1 4
6
JER 2 2
7
HUN 1 2
8
HUN 2 1
9
SIL 1 2
10
SIL 2 2
Year
Entrant
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2014
Campos Racing
NÜR 1 1
NÜR 2 Ret
ALG 1 3
ALG 2 3
JER 1 4
JER 2 2
HUN 1 2
HUN 2 1
SIL 1 2
SIL 2 2
· Racing record › Complete GP3 Series results
2015
2015
Year
2015
Entrant
Campos Racing
1
CAT FEA 12
2
CAT SPR 20
3
RBR FEA 14
4
RBR SPR Ret
5
SIL FEA Ret
6
SIL SPR 13
7
HUN FEA 19
8
HUN SPR 18
9
SPA FEA 7
10
SPA SPR 5
2016
2016
Year
2016
Entrant
Campos Racing
1
CAT FEA 19
2
CAT SPR 14
3
RBR FEA 16
4
RBR SPR 11
5
SIL FEA 10
6
SIL SPR 2
7
HUN FEA 11
8
HUN SPR 14
9
HOC FEA 16
10
HOC SPR 19†
Year
Entrant
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2015
Campos Racing
CAT FEA 12
CAT SPR 20
RBR FEA 14
RBR SPR Ret
SIL FEA Ret
SIL SPR 13
HUN FEA 19
HUN SPR 18
SPA FEA 7
SPA SPR 5
2016
Campos Racing
CAT FEA 19
CAT SPR 14
RBR FEA 16
RBR SPR 11
SIL FEA 10
SIL SPR 2
HUN FEA 11
HUN SPR 14
HOC FEA 16
HOC SPR 19†
· Racing record › Complete Japanese Formula 3 Championship results
2017
2017
Year
2017
Team
Threebond with Drago Corse
1
OKA1 1 4
2
OKA1 2 1
3
OKA1 3 2
4
SUZ1 1 2
5
SUZ1 2 2
6
FUJ1 1 1
7
FUJ1 2 4
8
OKA2 1 8
9
OKA2 2 1
10
SUZ2 1 4
Year
Team
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2017
Threebond with Drago Corse
OKA1 1 4
OKA1 2 1
OKA1 3 2
SUZ1 1 2
SUZ1 2 2
FUJ1 1 1
FUJ1 2 4
OKA2 1 8
OKA2 2 1
SUZ2 1 4

References

  1. Dailysportscar
    https://www.dailysportscar.com/2021/10/21/fia-publish-provisional-2021-driver-rankings-3.html
  2. Dailysportscar
    https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/10/04/fia-publish-2024-driver-categorisations.html
  3. Motorsports Tribune
    https://motorsportstribune.com/palou-and-veekay-excited-for-indycar-debut-after-arriving-in-the-u-s/
  4. alexpalou
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160304230905/http://www.alexpalou.com/en/about-alex/
  5. Kartcom
    https://www.kartcom.com/en/news/2012/08/10/crg-double-wsk-euro-series-title-with-palou-and-pex/
  6. Kartcom
    https://www.kartcom.com/en/news/2012/07/23/euro-kf3-russell-doubles-the-stakes/
  7. "Palou secures full-time drive with Campos Racing"
    http://www.paddockscout.com/palou-secures-full-time-drive-with-campos-racing/
  8. "Palou wins to end Euroformula Open season in style"
    http://www.paddockscout.com/palou-wins-to-end-euroformula-open-season-in-style/
  9. LaF1
    http://www.laf1.es/articulos/la-columna-de-alex-palou-el-estreno-en-montmelo-910628
  10. LaF1
    http://www.laf1.es/articulos/la-columna-de-alex-palou-toca-hacer-autocritica-tras-austria-911756
  11. LaF1
    http://www.laf1.es/articulos/la-columna-de-alex-palou-la-remontada-de-silverstone-912180
  12. LaF1
    http://www.laf1.es/articulos/la-columna-de-alex-palou-motivacion-intacta-pese-todo-912753
  13. LaF1
    http://www.laf1.es/articulos/la-columna-de-alex-palou-puntos-en-spa-fuerza-para-campos-racing-913393
  14. LaF1
    http://www.laf1.es/articulos/la-columna-de-alex-palou-luchar-en-monza-sin-velocidad-punta-913759
  15. LaF1
    http://www.laf1.es/articulos/la-columna-de-alex-palou-ahora-si-que-vamos-por-el-camino-correcto-914820
  16. LaF1
    http://www.laf1.es/articulos/la-columna-de-alex-palou-calma-ante-todos-los-problemas-de-2015-916001
  17. LaF1
    http://www.laf1.es/articulos/la-columna-de-alex-palou-una-victoria-para-todo-el-mundo-916282
  18. RACER
    https://racer.com/2019/07/31/spains-palou-tests-with-coyne/
  19. Dalecoyneracing
    https://web.archive.org/web/20210411101815/https://dalecoyneracing.com/2019/12/19/alex-palou-joins-dale-coyne-racing-with-team-goh-for-2020-indycar-season/
  20. GT Channel
    https://gtchannel.com/moment/11960/young-spanish-indycar-driver-alex-palou-is-natural-talent/
Image
Source: —
Tip: Wheel or +/− to zoom, drag to pan, Esc to close.