Alex Palou closes doors to F1

"I am living my dream."

This is how

Álex Palou

exploded with emotion

last morning. It was not for less.

He became IndyCar champion, being the first Spanish to achieve it.

Once again, Spain has a pioneer who is already entering the motorsport history books and, moreover, he is doing it through the front door:

conquering the United States at only 24 years old

and in his second season in the competition. It was clear that, with his talent, he had something to say and

Fernando Alonso predicted this final months ago:

"This year I see him champion, I see him champion because he is the most constant, the best."

Palou now savors the glory, but the road has never been easier.

A child who dreamed of arriving at Formula 1 one day, but who knew how to see at the right moment that this competition would remain as it was:

a dream within the reach of very few.

For this reason, despite sharing a way in karting with drivers who are now successful in F1, such as Carlos Sainz or Max Verstappen,

Palou decided to change his course and try his luck with the American dream: the IndyCar.

Because, despite not reaching the

Great Circus,

the American competition continues to be one of the most important in the world.

"It really is something special"

, he confessed to AS in an interview in 2019, when he was still racing in the Japanese Super Formula and his only brush with the Indy had been a test.

The Spaniard knew how to see that there was life beyond Formula 1

and, now, the world speaks of him as a new champion. He did not make the wrong choice, in fact, he opted to continue demonstrating his talent in other areas, aware that the great motorsport competition

was within the reach of those who could afford it,

those who, if they were not offered a seat, "would they buy". "From the lower categories there is a lot of difference in teams. Those who win raise prices and

only rich riders or those with many sponsors can pay for it,"

Palou explained to this newspaper. "Those pilots are being lost although later they go to other places, but nothing happens, life goes on", adds the Spaniard who, two years ago

, already ruled out Formula 1 at 99%:

"It's the premier class, but it doesn't just depend on the driver or the team."

Don't think about F1

However, it

is a thought that many find it difficult to understand

and that, despite working and continuing to strive to reach F1, only 20 drivers in the world can achieve it.

And, in that, external factors (beyond talent and effort) have a lot to do with it.

But, to get ahead, you have to accept it: “There are many who have Formula 1 as their only goal […] I have it very clear,

what I like to do is race and win races.

Now in Formula 1 only six drivers aspire to win races, those of Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull, and

I am clear that I will not be any of those six.

There are many places where you can win races and nothing happens ”.

But, being already champion of the IndyCar, with 24 years ...

what does the future hold for him?

Álex Palou is clear about it and

F1 is still not among his plans.

“The wish and the dream is to get another title next year.

I want to fight and be here for many, many years as my partner, Scott Dixon.

That is the desire ”, he assured after proclaiming himself the IndyCar champion.

The unfinished business is clear for the Spaniard:

the Indianapolis 500 that he missed this past edition and he wants to win in 2022.

Palou brushed victory, but luck would have him occupy second place, in a second participation, as part of one of the biggest motorsport events in the United States.

WWW.INDYCAR.COM

Palou opens doors to the youngest

And, thus,

Álex Palou will continue to write his history, far from Formula 1

and being a great reference for the following generations.

Younger pilots will be able to see that glory is not only in the

Great Circus

and that, beyond those 20 pilots who are lucky enough to debut there (and the necessary means to achieve it),

there is a great world of competitions in which succeed.

Palou was the first of a long list that will come over the years, within a competition that Fernando Alonso has already defined as "fantastic" and in which

Romain Grosjean has once again felt how competitive he could not be in F1.

“There is a lot of engine that is not Formula

1 and then, the new generations, the children, will dream of Formula 1. But if they do not arrive, it cannot be a frustrated dream, it

has to be a passion for the engine.

And then, what Àlex is doing I think may have an impact beyond his championship and his victories, "said Fernando Alonso a few months ago, who, at 40, has returned to Formula 1.

Of course, with the Indy500 still pending in their plans.