Scott Dixon will depart Chip Ganassi Racing after 24 seasons, and IndyCar champion Alex Palou has voiced a mixed sense of loss and thanks for the veteran’s contribution.
Alex Palou on Dixon’s Exit
Following Saturday’s practice at Mid‑Ohio, where Palou was third fastest, he said the news was “very sad” because of the legacy Dixon built at the team. The Spaniard, a 2024 series champion, acknowledged that without Dixon’s mentorship he would not have reached his current level of performance.
Palou Steps Into the Leader Role
With Dixon’s seat vacant, Palou is poised to become Ganassi’s de‑facto anchor for the 2027 season. The 29‑year‑old called the move a transfer of responsibility from one “heart and soul” of the team to the next, confident that the structure and ethos of CGR will remain intact.
The Culture of Equality Persists
Palou emphasized that the team has never instituted a formal hierarchy among drivers. “Every driver has the same amount of saying, had I been there since day one,” he noted. He highlighted the camaraderie with teammates Kyffin Simpson, Marcus Armstrong, and Felix Rosenqvist, alongside the technical partnership with Meyer Shank Racing, underscoring that no single driver holds more sway.
No Say Over the New #9 Seat
When questioned about his influence on the choice of the replacement for Dixon’s #9 seat, Palou responded that he has “zero saying about it.” He stressed that the decision lies with owner Chip Ganassi and that he “does not care” to dictate whom the team brings on board.
Speed Is the Ultimate Criterion
According to Palou, a driver’s pace is the decisive factor in selecting a teammate. “You want the fastest driver in the same machinery,” he warned, adding that the new teammate would learn from his experience while enjoying the opportunity to challenge the status quo.
Palou’s take illustrates the seamless handover of leadership within Chip Ganassi Racing, reaffirming the unwavering focus on performance and equal partnership that has underpinned the team’s success for more than two decades. The next chapter will inevitably test the resilience of this culture as the organization gears up for the 2027 season.
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