SPEEDWAY, Ind. —The last driver to clinch three consecutive IndyCar championships was Dario Franchitti, who accomplished the feat between 2009 and 2011. Now, Alex Palou is looking to etch his name alongside Franchitti and other legends as he gears up for his sixth season in the NTT IndyCar Series.
Since debuting in 2020, Palou’s career has been a mix of triumphs and turbulence. Through it all, the reigning champion has maintained his focus.
“It’s tough because … you cannot slow down at any point,” Palou said. “But at the same time, I think it’s easier in a way. It’s easier because I know what it feels like, and I just want to do it again, so I work a little bit harder than I did last year.”
Palou’s career has not been without controversy. A legal battle involving his current team, Chip Ganassi Racing, and McLaren Racing over a contract dispute has loomed over him since 2023. Despite the off-track drama, Palou remains on the brink of joining a rare club.
Only AJ Foyt has won four championships in five years, a feat he achieved in the 1960s. Palou could match that historic run while also aiming to join Franchitti, Ted Horn, and Sebastien Bourdais in the three-in-a-row club. Bourdais remains the only driver to win four consecutive titles during the Champ Car era of the early 2000s.
However, Palou knows that repeating success in the fiercely competitive IndyCar Series is no small task.
“100 percent you need to change, otherwise you’ll fall very quick here in IndyCar,” he said. “Every sport evolves, and if you don’t, the competition catches up. I’m not going to go crazy and overhaul everything, but I’m tweaking some things—physically, mentally, and in the way I drive.”
Several challengers are poised to knock Palou off the top. Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden, who narrowly missed a shot at the title last season due to an early penalty, remains a strong contender.
Pato O’Ward, hungry for his first championship, has already amassed seven career wins and four top-five finishes in the standings. Colton Herta, last year’s championship runner-up, is also expected to be in the mix.
For Palou, the off-season has been a time of rest and family. Back in his native Spain, the new father has enjoyed quality time with his daughter and indulged in local cuisine.
“I’ve been resting, on vacation, and chasing my daughter around the house because she never stops moving,” Palou shared. “But don’t be fooled—my appetite for another championship is as fierce as ever.”
With the 2024 season on the horizon, Palou is ready to defend his throne, driven by one goal: making history once again.
“I’m extra motivated, and I’m super hungry,” he said.