Red Bull is reportedly considering a new driver to partner Max Verstappen for the 2026 season. The Austrian team is not only looking beyond their own stable but also outside of Formula 1. Alex Palou, a four-time IndyCar champion, is said to be high on Red Bull’s list of candidates, although the Spaniard himself denies that any discussions have taken place.
The alleged interest in Alex Palou from Red Bull would represent a break from tradition for the Austrians. The team has often chosen a driver from their own junior program in the past, but this has resulted in a long list of Verstappen’s teammates who consistently fell short. Pierre Gasly, Alexander Albon, Sergio Pérez, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda all struggled in the second Red Bull seat. Current teammate Tsunoda has not scored a single World Championship point in the last seven Grands Prix.
Therefore, rumors of potential talks between Red Bull and Palou about a seat for the driver in 2026 are not surprising. According to IndyStar, the Austrian team is definitely interested in the four-time IndyCar champion. However, Palou himself denied that any discussions between him and Red Bull have taken place. “There aren’t many seats I would trade this one for,” the Spaniard said. “I don’t think I would prefer to drive anything other than the number 10 (Palou’s racing number in IndyCar). It’s hard to beat.”
McLaren
The Spanish driver reportedly has a contract with Chip Ganassi Racing until 2026. Palou had previously wanted to move to McLaren, and the Spaniard even made his F1 debut during a free practice session in Austin in 2022. However, the plan fell through for McLaren when the IndyCar driver informed McLaren CEO Zak Brown through his lawyers that he would not be moving to the team. The British team tried to get compensation through the courts.
