IndyCar Champion Alex Ballou will remain with Chip Ganassi Racing next year after a long soap. The Spaniard, announced a few months ago by both his current employer and McLaren, decided on Wednesday to remain loyal to Chip Ganassi Racing.
McLaren does not hold the 25-year-old Palu. The motorsport giant, along with Chip Ganassi Racing, has created a building in which Palou will become part of the Formula 1 testing program.
“I am pleased to inform you that Chip Ganassi Racing has reached an agreement to continue driving the No. 10 next year,” Ballou wrote on Twitter. “I am also grateful to be able to test McLaren in addition to the IndyCar commitments in Formula 1.”
Palo was already announced in July by Chip Ganassi Racing as next year’s driver, but the driver later denied he had signed a contract with the US team.
Hours after Chip Ganassi Racing’s announcement, McLaren announced that Palou will be part of the Formula 1 testing programme, along with IndyCar drivers Colton Herta and Pato O’Ward. This agreement is still in effect.
Balu, last year’s IndyCar champion, finished fifth in the championship on Sunday. Rinus van Calmuth, the only Dutchman to have competed in the prestigious American racing category, finished the season 12th in the final standings.
