An unusual situation occurred in the IndyCar world on Tuesday, with defending champion Alex Palou being confirmed by two teams.
An unusual situation occurred in the IndyCar world on Tuesday, with defending champion Alex Palou being confirmed by two teams.
The chain of events began when Palou's current team, Chip Ganassi Racing, announced that the Spaniard would remain for a third consecutive season in 2023.
Later, McLaren Racing - which has operations in Indy, Formula 1, Formula E and Extreme E - released a statement saying that it had hired Palou for next year.
Amid the confusion, Palou made it clear that he intends to leave Chip Ganassi Racing at the end of 2022 and start a new chapter at McLaren.
Palou wrote on social media, "I recently learned from the media that this afternoon, without my approval, Chip Ganassi Racing released a memo announcing that I would remain with the team in 2023.
"Even more surprising was the fact that Chip Ganassi Racing's note included a 'statement' that I did not give. I did not approve that note, nor did I author or approve that statement."
"As I recently informed Chip Ganassi Racing, I do not intend to continue with the team after 2022 for personal reasons."
"With the exception of today's unfortunate events, I have great respect for Chip Ganassi Racing and look forward to ending this season well together."
The McLaren memo did not confirm specifically where Palou will race in 2023, but he is expected to continue at Indy.
In addition, he will test McLaren's 2021 specification F1 car like his Indy colleagues Pato O'Ward and Colton Herta.
As an Indy champion, Palou has enough points for a super license, meaning that a transfer to F1 is theoretically possible.
McLaren's announcement included the comment that its "full driver duos" in the various categories will be confirmed "in due course."