Alex Palou's matchmaker to help with Fernando Alonso's replacement at Aston Martin

Alex Palou dominated the field once again last Sunday at Laguna Seca. With three races remaining, he holds a 121-point lead out of a total of 162 available. In addition to the legendary Indianapolis 500 already in his pocket, he's inches away from putting the ball in the hole for his fourth American IndyCar title in six years in the series.

In the past, a driver of such stature would become Formula 1 fodder , like Alex Zanardi, Juan Pablo Montoya, or Jacques Villeneuve. Although the Catalan decided to leave McLaren despite a current contractual relationship, who knows if another opportunity might arise with… Aston Martin , thanks to the shared Honda link. Science fiction today? Absolutely. By the end of 2026…

The IndyCar is too small

Palou crushed his rivals on the Californian circuit last Sunday. Five cautions halted the race, but after each one, the Catalan scorched his rivals, as if they were competing in two different races. He could have won by almost twenty seconds given his pace. His eighth victory equaled those of Frenchman Sébastien Bourdais —who also competed in Formula 1—and he is now two wins behind the legendary AJ Foyt and Al Unser Sr. with three races remaining.

Eight out of thirteen this season, IndyCar is too small for him. Still only 28, the devil may tempt Palou again. He dipped his toe in the water with McLaren, but quickly pulled out to, like a good prodigal son, end up with the best IndyCar team, Ganassi Racing. Time is proving him right. He hasn't lost a title.

A few days ago, he responded to that constant temptation with El Confidencial . " I'm in a different place now . If a team comes to me, it will depend on which one, and the conditions. I'm telling you, I'd have to think about it very carefully," he noted in a recent interview with this newspaper. "It wouldn't be with just any team or in just any condition, because I'm doing very well. It's very difficult to have the opportunity I have to win races and championships, which, in the end, is what all drivers want."

He cited the example of Fernando Alonso. “If not, ask Fernando . And you know that in Formula 1, if you don't have a good car, you have a great time, but as a driver, it's not as cool. In the position I'm in, it doesn't appeal to me. To do four races that don't work out at home, no . Right now, I'm so happy here... I just don't need it.” He's also right, although it would be necessary to resist if the siren song of Ulysses came.

The "Alonso factor"

Who would want to entice the traveler to this shore? The current contractual landscape in Formula 1 places this enticing science fiction game at the end of 2026. McLaren? No way. Mercedes? Only aim for Verstappen or its current drivers. Ferrari? Lewis Hamilton's contract is ending, although the Scuderia has a line of its own drivers. The only thread to pull from right now... Aston Martin? Without Fernando Alonso, of course.

Verstappen will be a market factor in 2026 , even more so if his current team, a fledgling engine manufacturer without Adrian Newey to draw up a new set of regulations, doesn't work out. One can imagine Toto Wolff charging towards the Dutchman again, who seems set to wait at Red Bull to have two cards (three with the Austrians) at the end of next year. Aston Martin would be the third. Because such a megaproject will aim to secure the crown of one of the biggest stars of the moment. Max Verstappen himself, of course, even more so with Adrian Newey and Honda on board, with whom he has shared the journey in recent years.

First, Alonso would have to decide . Either he continues and closes this relationship with Palou, or he decides to retire. This could be a hypothetical window of opportunity to tempt the Catalan, with Honda as a luxury matchmaker. The Japanese manufacturer will equip Aston Martin alone starting next year and appears to be involved in driver selection.

With the Honda seal on the forehead

This was acknowledged this year in Japan by Koji Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Corporation. "The number of seats will be reduced. However, as for us, as Honda , we will continue to express our opinion when selecting drivers for 2026 and beyond," the Japanese executive explained, referring to the specific importance of Japanese drivers in the British team.

“Obviously, the team (Aston Martin) has the final say in deciding which drivers join, but the situation will be the same as with Red Bull , where we will have a say.” For now, he has his protégé Yuki Tsunoda on board . Would Honda propose Alex Palou to enter the mix from 2026 if Alonso were to retire and Verstappen decided to sail elsewhere?

Because Alex Palou has had the Honda seal of approval ever since his competitive experience in Japan. Roger Yasukawa was his former driver manager at the time. A former IndyCar driver, he has always had strong ties to Honda. Palou secured his first test in the United States thanks to Yasukawa's efforts and the support of the Japanese manufacturer. which forced his way into the Dayle Coyne Racing team. From there, he joined Ganassi, also Honda's partner in IndyCar.

The Catalan has won all his titles with the Japanese brand, in addition to the 500 Miles. After his split with McLaren, Palou also parted ways with his previous management team to return to Yasukawa as his manager. His interests are those of Palou. In the United States, Honda has firsthand knowledge of the unusual talent the Spaniard is displaying. Why not propose his candidacy, one of their own, if the circumstances are right? For now, "if a team comes to me, it will depend on which one, and the conditions..."