The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Sports›Motorsport›Alex Palou
Sports • Motorsport

Alex Palou

Alex Palou Montalbo is a Spanish racing driver best known for competing in the IndyCar Series with Chip Ganassi Racing.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Alex Palou Montalbo is a Spanish racing driver best known for competing in the IndyCar Series with Chip Ganassi Racing. He is a four-time IndyCar Series champion, with titles in 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025, and won the Indianapolis 500 in 2025.

Early life and karting

Palou was born in Sant Antoni de Vilamajor, near Barcelona, Spain, in 1997. He began karting at age six and won multiple karting titles before moving into single-seater racing.

Junior and international single-seater career

He progressed through European junior categories and later raced in Japan, including Japanese Formula 3 and Super Formula. His results in these series helped establish him as a rising international driver.

IndyCar career

Palou began IndyCar with Dale Coyne Racing in 2020 and joined Chip Ganassi Racing in 2021. With Ganassi, he became one of the dominant drivers of the era, winning championships in 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Indianapolis 500 victory

In 2025, Palou won the Indianapolis 500, becoming the first Spaniard to win the race. The result added the sport's most famous oval race to his championship record.

Key facts

  • Alex Palou is a Spanish racing driver for Chip Ganassi Racing in the IndyCar Series.
  • He has won four IndyCar championships: 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
  • He won the Indianapolis 500 in 2025, the first Spaniard to do so.
  • Before IndyCar, he competed in Euroformula Open, Spanish Formula 3, GP3, Japanese Formula 3, and Super Formula.
  • He was named Super Formula Rookie of the Year in 2019.
🍁
Canadian context

Palou is relevant to Canadian motorsport readers because IndyCar includes races in North America and has Canadian interest through events such as the Toronto Indy and Canadian drivers and fans following the series.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Alex Palou?
Alex Palou is a Spanish racing driver who competes in the IndyCar Series for Chip Ganassi Racing.
How many IndyCar championships has he won?
He has won four IndyCar championships: 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Did Alex Palou win the Indianapolis 500?
Yes. He won the Indianapolis 500 in 2025.
Where is Alex Palou from?
He was born in Sant Antoni de Vilamajor, Spain, near Barcelona.
What team does he drive for?
He drives for Chip Ganassi Racing in IndyCar.
What series did he race in before IndyCar?
He competed in Euroformula Open, Spanish Formula 3, GP3, Japanese Formula 3, and Super Formula.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81lex_Palou
    Supports: Birthdate, nationality, IndyCar championships, Indianapolis 500 win, and first Spanish driver milestones.
  2. INDYCAR — http://www.indycar.com/Drivers/Alex-Palou
    Supports: Championship titles, 2025 Indianapolis 500 win, team, birthplace/hometown, and career highlights.
  3. Car and Driver — https://www.caranddriver.com/es/formula-1/pilotos/a41737805/alex-palou/
    Supports: Birthplace in Sant Antoni de Vilamajor, near Barcelona.
  4. Chip Ganassi Racing — https://chipganassiracing.com/drivers/apalou
    Supports: Team affiliation, 2025 season achievements, birthplace, and number.
  5. AlexPalou.com — https://alexpalou.com/pages/about
    Supports: Karting start, junior series progression, Super Formula Rookie of the Year, and IndyCar debut.