It is uncommon that many IndyCar drivers will make the switch to and have a career in F1. Motorsport legend Mario Andretti won three IndyCar championships in the 1960s, before joining the F1 grid, winning the championship in 1978. Jacques Villenueve also made the same career decision, winning the championship in both categories.
Alex Palou is taking IndyCar by storm and has already wrapped up this season’s championship with two races remaining. This has made Palou a four-time IndyCar champion, winning 19 races over his six seasons in the series. He has received high praise from Will Buxton, who believes that Palou could win the F1 championship.
Will Buxton believes IndyCar sensation Alex Palou would do well in F1
Will Buxton left his role at F1TV and joined Fox Sports to commentate on the IndyCar series. Here, he has been able to watch Palou consistently over this season. The Brit claims that Palou is one of the best racers currently in the world.
Buxton commented on his X account: “Palou is, hands down, one of the best open-wheel drivers in the world right now. Could he win in F1? Absolutely.”
Palou is, hands down, one of the best open wheel drivers in the world right now. Could he win in F1? Absolutely. With the right car. Would he get the right car though? Unless it’s a top 4 team in F1, why walk away from making history in a championship he loves? https://t.co/08BTWtWxGV
— Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) August 10, 2025
However, Buxton did question whether Palou would leave IndyCar for F1, saying, “Would he get the right car though? Unless it’s a top 4 team in F1, why walk away from making history in a championship he loves?”
Palou is dominating the IndyCar series. He has won the championship in three consecutive seasons and has won four of the six years he has competed in the category. Leaving the series would be a big risk at 28 years old, and with options at the big teams looking limited, would he leave IndyCar for a midfield team?
IndyCar champion Alex Palou had a chance with McLaren
After Alex Palou won the IndyCar championship in his second season, McLaren snapped up the Spaniard. They placed him in their ‘Testing of Previous Cars Program’ where he drove the team’s 2020 and 2021 challenger in Barcelona and Austria.
Palou made his debut for McLaren in the 2022 United States GP, driving the MCL36 in FP1. The Papaya team then signed the Spaniard up for the 2023 season as a reserve driver. However, ahead of him were Lando Norris and then rookie Oscar Piastri.
Alex Palou says his future remains in the IndyCar Series and admits his chances of racing in Formula 1 are now “really, really small” after turning his back on McLaren.
“[…] [The] door opened a little bit with McLaren. It was amazing. I got to test the [F1] cars and also… pic.twitter.com/hNQpMINTN4
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) September 8, 2023
It was unlikely McLaren would draft Palou into the F1 team in the near future, so they signed him up to their IndyCar team for 2024. However, Palou decided to stay with his current team, Chip Ganassi Racing, which had given him his success. Palou also said he felt “too old” to wait for an F1 opportunity, which is why he didn’t wait around for McLaren. This decision has left a bitter legal dispute between the parties.
Palou has the talent, and he has shown it many times after racking up his four championships. However, now aged 28, time is against him ever joining the F1 grid. With what happened at McLaren fresh in everyone’s mind, it is unlikely the Spaniard will sit in an F1 car.
