IndyCar Champions Deny Red Bull F1 Transfer Rumors

Despite circulating rumors about Alex Palou potentially joining Red Bull's Formula 1 team in 2026, key figures including Palou, his management, and Chip Ganassi Racing owner Chip Ganassi have strongly denied any such plans, labeling the speculation as clickbait. Palou, a four-time IndyCar champion with eight wins in the 2025 season, remains highly committed to IndyCar, having previously turned down a McLaren deal and emphasizing the challenges of transitioning to F1 at his age. Ganassi affirmed his intention to keep Palou with Chip Ganassi Racing for the foreseeable future and downplayed F1 as a threat, highlighting the value Palou brings to the team. Verstappen praised Palou's talent but expressed uncertainty about how Palou would adapt to Formula 1, just as he himself is unsure how he would perform in IndyCar. Red Bull is reportedly considering other options to replace Yuki Tsunoda, whose future with the team is uncertain, but Palou is not involved in these discussions. Overall, the consensus is that Palou is focused on continuing his successful IndyCar career and is not exploring a move to Formula 1 at this time.