IndyCar has been shaken by a major scandal in champion Alex Ballou’s fight. Champion team Chip Ganassi Racing has announced that Champion will remain in the stable.
But Ballou – who signed with McLaren for 2023 – denied this.
The deal could have consequences for Felix Rosenqvist.
The week was eventful. At least in IndyCar. There, Chip Ganassi Racing issued a press release, sent it through social media and made it clear that he had extended the contract with champion Alex Ballou.
Chip Ganassi Racing announced today that the team has exercised its option to extend Tweet embed during the 2023 season.
“Alex’s record speaks for itself. He is a proven champion and one of the strongest drivers in the world.” – Tweet embedhttps://t.co/PTIcqIp37N pic.twitter.com/9coZ12KhOh
– Chip Ganassi Racing (@CGRTeams) 12 July 2022
IndyCar’s Felix Rosenqvist can be pricked
The press release contains quotes from Palou – but according to the Spaniard, it’s all just a lie.
A little later, Alex Palou was introduced as driver of Arrow McLaren until 2023 – and explained that Ganassi had faked the entire contract extension.
Recently the media informed me that Chip Ganassi Racing this afternoon, without my consent, issued a press release announcing that I would be driving with CGR 2023. Most surprisingly, the CGR version contained a “quote ‘that didn’t come from me'”
“I did not agree with this press release, I did not write this quote and did not agree with it. I recently informed CGR that for personal reasons, I do not intend to continue with the team beyond 2022.”
2/3
I did not agree with this press release, nor did I authorize or endorse this quote. As I recently informed CGR, for personal reasons, I do not intend to continue with the team after 2022.
Alex Palou Montalbo 12 July 2022
Where will you lead Palo next year, at Ganassi or McLaren? Lawyers, and perhaps even a judge and court, will have to look at this in the coming months, and without knowing it, we can probably say that neither side wants to lose this battle. It’s about a lot of prestige.
Felix Rosenqvist ready for McLaren – but which series?
If so, Ballou is ready for McLaren 2023, that could have serious consequences for Felix Rosenqvist. He has signed a multi-year contract with McLaren, but it is not clear if he will drive IndyCar or on the Formula E team in the stable. The Swede was once successful in Formula E, but even if he doesn’t say anything about it, it’s as if he’s thriving better in IndyCar.
However, McLaren has Pat O’Douard and perhaps now two newcomers in Alexander Rossi already ready and Alex Ballou who is now also being introduced to McLaren at IndyCar next year.
It hardly looks as if the stable drives four cars all season, Ballou will teach Felix Rosenqvist to drive Formula E next year – but it will likely be a while before we know one hundred percent.
Hello Alex! 🇪🇸
Welcome to McLaren Racing #INDYCAR a hero Tweet embed to its driver roster from 2023, as the team continues to build talent across all of its racing series. 👊
The full lineup of drivers in all racing series will be confirmed in due course.
– McLaren (@McLarenF1) 12 July 2022
IndyCar i Toronto
Competing this weekend in Toronto, the championship returned to Canada for the first time since 2019. Rosenqvist, who had a chance of getting a podium finish in mid-Ohio, but suffered a technical blunder, is hungry for a good spot.
It would be fun to go back to Toronto, which is my favorite, says Felix Rosenqvist who finished fifth in Toronto in 2019.
– It’s been a while since we’ve been there and I think the whole warehouse loves this competition. It has worked well for me there before and we also have some revenge to claim after mid-O.
With the competition in Toronto, a period of intense competition for IndyCar begins. Already next weekend, double races await at the oval in Iowa, followed by two more races right after the weekends in Indianapolis and Nashville.
Short news – Formula 1
Honda may be on its way back to Formula 1, does that mean that Porsche should look for a partnership other than Red Bull? Additionally, Michael Massey has left the FIA. Read more in the F1 Blog
In this week’s episode of the F1 podcast “Plattan i Mattan” we talk about the Austrian Grand Prix, both the sprint and the Grand Prix. We talk about a roasted horse and a hunted ox and then tell a few tales from the years in the field. If you don’t give us a chance, then do.
Not F1 this weekend, but IndyCar in Toronto. Below you will find all times. I’ll keep the track a bit, although I’d also bet I’ll be a little bit free as this is the only weekend in July without F1 and the rest of the family having off and holidays.
IndyCar scheduling
All information refers to Swedish time
NTT INDYCAR Series | Research and development. 10
Honda Indy Toronto
Toronto (Canada)
Friday 15 July
1 free training: 20.30-21.45
Saturday 16th July
2 free training: 16.00 – 17.00
the mother: 20.00-21.15
Sunday 17 July
Heating: 16.55 – 17.25
Race (85 laps): 21.20
TV (Live): V Sport Motor and Viaplay