Alex Palou has clarified his stance on shifting to F1 after profitable the Indy 500.
Palou has taken IndyCar by storm in 2025 culminating with a superb win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway final Sunday.
He had beforehand flirted with a transfer into Method 1 with McLaren in 2022, till that relationship soured.
Now Palou insists that F1 is now not an ambition.
“I don’t need to depart now,” he advised the Indy Star.
“Even when they are saying, ‘No, don’t fear, you’ll be able to come again in a single or two years, what if all of the sudden everyone seems to be right here and I’m by no means capable of catch again as much as them?
“And it wasn’t in my thoughts final 12 months, and it’s not in my thoughts this 12 months.
“It’s getting much less and fewer and fewer daily, and with this, it’s like, ‘No, I need to get one other [Indy 500 victory].
“[F1] is just not calling me anymore. I nonetheless comply with it. It’s an enormous collection. It’s wonderful. I’m an enormous fan, however I don’t suppose they’re having as a lot enjoyable as I’m having right here.
“I don’t see folks celebrating with their wives and their children as a lot as we do.
“I don’t see them hanging within the bus lot or having dinner with their mechanics.
“I solely get pleasure from driving and having enjoyable and being with my folks, so I feel [F1] is the full reverse.”
Palou admits he’s not as well-known or wealthy as Spanish compatriots Carlos Sainz or Fernando Alonso, however he doesn’t care.
He isn’t wanting on the Method 1 paddock with any envy. Palau even famous how rapidly an F1 dream can finish, referring to Liam Lawson and Jack Doohan dropping their drives.
“There’s not many seats that I’d need to be in, in comparison with the No. 10 automotive proper now.
“It’s fairly powerful to beat.
“And even nonetheless, you solely have 4 races, and also you’re out, like we’ve seen twice this 12 months?”
Palou pocketed a hefty sum in prize cash after his first Indy 500 win.
He took 20% of the report $20,283,000 purse – however nonetheless not as a lot as Josef Newgarden earned a 12 months in the past.
