Ganassi heads into this weekend’s midway IndyCar spherical at Mid-Ohio holding a 1-2 in factors with Palou main Ericsson by a whopping 74 factors. Staff Penske’s Josef Newgarden is the most effective non-Ganassi driver, an extra seven factors behind.
Palou has already equalled his win tally from his title 12 months with CGR in 2021. In the meantime Ericsson, the winner of the season-opener in St Petersburg, got here inside lower than a tenth of a second of claiming back-to-back Indy 500 wins final month earlier than dropping out to Newgarden.
But Ganassi may lose them each for 2024 as they’ve very completely different contractual eventualities enjoying out.
Palou is known to have a McLaren deal in his pocket for 2024 and sees this as his finest path to Formulation 1, with the added bonus of driving for its burgeoning Arrow-partnered IndyCar crew, the place he can watch for his alternative within the greatest league of all.
Final 12 months Ganassi issued a lawsuit towards Palou when McLaren issued a press launch claiming he’d signed for 2023. That was settled with the Spaniard staying on at CGR in IndyCar for the ultimate 12 months of his present contract in 2023 but in addition allowed for a take a look at and reserve position with McLaren’s F1 crew.
His newest take a look at was on the Hungaroring earlier this month, alongside race driver Oscar Piastri no much less, and he received to run in FP1 at COTA final 12 months – so you may see the place his ambitions clearly lie. Plus, McLaren wouldn’t be doing this if it didn’t suppose he was the actual deal…
“It has been working to date – I like it,” he stated when Autosport requested if his F1 working has been serving to his improvement as a driver. “They’re very choosy about the best way you drive clearly.
“They’re pushing you on the way to drive, which is actually good by way of driver improvement actually. It is such as you go there and they’re educating you the way to brake.
“It is nice, particularly not being too aware of the automotive, I am nonetheless studying the way to drive it correctly. It is nice for pushing myself.”
Palou has had F1 take a look at mileage for McLaren and has a race drive in his sights
Picture by: Monaco Enhance Administration
Palou stayed stylish all through this awkward contractual state of affairs, and he’s reaping the profit with one other championship-challenging run that’s cementing his place as IndyCar’s premier performer.
His unflappable off-track manner, coupled with likely pace and resilience on it, all level to him being effectively worthy of an F1 shot. And there’s at all times an opportunity that one other crew may come calling to make that occur sooner reasonably than later…
Paddock gossip additionally means that Ganassi has counter-offered Palou with a wholesome seven-figure wage to remain put. And one may argue that’s a greater wager for making certain additional short-term success than shifting to Arrow McLaren’s still-growing IndyCar crew.
Motorsport.com requested him this week when he’ll be capable of inform us the place he’s racing subsequent 12 months, and he replied: “I do not know, actually, I do not know. However, yeah, that day will come.
“That day will come possibly two months, three, 4. I do not know. Possibly as soon as the season is over, possibly later. We’ll see.
“Yeah, that day will come. Will probably be thrilling, I assume.”
With regards to gunning for titles and profitable a number of races in IndyCar versus battling to make a reputation for himself in F1, he added: “I might simply say that the fantastic thing about IndyCar is that everyone can win as a result of you’ve the identical instruments as all people. In F1, possibly the sweetness, it is completely different.
“It is simply that you’re within the pinnacle of motorsport, you are creating a automotive along with an enormous manufacturing facility. It is only a completely different mentality, I might say. I would not say one there’s extra satisfaction than the opposite.”
Ericsson gained the Indy 500 for Ganassi final season, however needs to have a drive with out worrying about sponsorship
Picture by: Phillip Abbott / Motorsport Images
Distinction that situation to CGR’s different sizzling property, Ericsson. His F1 itch has already been scratched with 5 seasons with Caterham and Sauber/Alfa Romeo, and his Indy 500 victory final 12 months is backed up by two consecutive top-six IndyCar Championship finishes.
Ericsson believes it’s time for him to be supplied the sort of wage that the opposite frontrunners get pleasure from, reasonably than the nominal fee that’s greater than offset by the backing he brings by way of Swedish billionaire Finn Rausing.
However it appears Chip Ganassi is torn over that, saying forward of the Indy 500 that “Marcus has an enormous future within the sport and I need it to be on this crew” earlier than including “we simply must finalise some sponsorship”.
When requested by Autosport what Ganassi meant by that latter comment, Ericsson replied: “Yeah, it’s a great query. However I don’t suppose it’s a query for me, actually.
“I’ve stated a number of occasions now that I wish to be handled as a high driver as a result of that’s what I’m on this collection. It’s the place I wanna be and hopefully, we’ll get to that time with Ganassi. I really feel like I deserve that.”
Nothing appears to have moved in that state of affairs, actually, it sounds prefer it’s deteriorated additional as Ericsson vented to NBC’s Kevin Lee at Street America.
“It seems like we’re fairly a means away,” Ericsson advised him. “I see issues a technique. The crew thinks that I ought to pay to be there and I really feel like I ought to receives a commission.
“I’m pissed off. There are a minimum of 15 drivers that do not convey a funds — and I might wish to suppose I’m a type of with the efficiency — however the crew thinks in any other case. In order that’s why we’re fairly far aside.
“I’ve tried to play good and make it clear I wish to keep right here. I do not perceive and it is irritating.”
Ericsson has been vocal in his frustrations and says the 2 negotiation groups are at the moment far aside
Picture by: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Images
Ericsson claims his telephone has been busy lately, and there’ll come a time within the subsequent few months when he’ll be capable of formally negotiate with rival groups. So maintain an eye fixed out for developments on this entrance too.
This weird state of affairs dealing with Ganassi is eased considerably by the indefatigable Scott Dixon’s continued presence and unquestioned efficiency ranges. If it loses each Palou and Ericsson, it may trim again to a few vehicles subsequent 12 months and promote both (or each) of the drivers that share its #11 automotive – F2 graduate Marcus Armstrong, who has been racing the street programs, or two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato, who has been doing the ovals.
There’s additionally the prospect of it creating a younger American expertise, with David Malukas displaying flashes of eye-catching type for Dale Coyne Racing – the place Ganassi signed Palou from for 2021. Or it may successfully swap out Palou with McLaren’s Felix Rosenqvist, who raced for CGR in 2019 and 2020 earlier than being changed by Palou.
One factor is for certain, if there actually are two Ganassi rides going, that is going to be an intrigue-packed IndyCar foolish season.