NTT INDYCAR SERIES: MISSION FOODS GRAND PRIX OF MOTEREY

September 6, 2026

Alex Palou

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We'll celebrate the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion in Alex Palou. A five-time INDYCAR SERIES champion. Only the second INDYCAR SERIES driver in history to win four consecutive championships. The last was Sebastien Bourdais in 2005, 2006, 2007. Very dominating season for Alex Palou.

You have new hardware, right, the ring?

ALEX PALOU: Yes.

THE MODERATOR: That's a lot of bling.

ALEX PALOU: Yeah, I like it. I love it. I love it when it shines.

THE MODERATOR: I hope you're not talked out. Congratulations, though. A chance maybe to kind of reflect on what this championship means.

ALEX PALOU: Man, no words. Like, I've been saying it for years now, I cannot still believe the position I am. The opportunity to start every single year with the chances and the best team around me and best partners to fight for wins and championships.

Last year was magical. I thought it could not be repeated. We did not repeat it, unfortunately, but we were close. We were like really, really close.

Obviously last year we were able to win the 500 and the championship. If I didn't compare it to last year, this year was just insane. Was so fun. Not today. Today we kind of made some mistakes on our tire decisions. We wanted to gamble a little bit. It didn't pay out.

THE MODERATOR: With that, I know how much you love this place. Were you disappointed with an eighth-place finish here?

ALEX PALOU: Yeah, just disappointed we didn't make the right decision in the race. We started on used alternates and we kind of survived, but then we went on a another used alternates. We, like, killed ourselves there.

Yeah, just tough. It's tough, man. It's tough to win even when you have nothing to lose, you gamble that way.

Yeah, happy to see Scott winning. He deserves it. Happy to see Kyle finishing second in the championship. He deserves it, as well.

Overall good day. A bit sad that Scott won't be my teammate again.

THE MODERATOR: Did he take all the secrets with him? Did he leave you a few?

ALEX PALOU: He has everything. I know just part of what he knows. Yeah, he kept all the secrets.

THE MODERATOR: Open it up for questions.

Q. Talk about how the team is in a transition period going into next year. You'll be the leader of the team going forward like Scott was.

ALEX PALOU: I don't think there's ever been a leader in the team, honestly. Even when I joined the team, it didn't seem like Scott was leading the team or anything. He was part of the team. He was obviously the fastest. I feel like the way we work is that the fastest during that session or that day is leading the team, let's say.

I feel like the way everybody works at CGR, it's not like based on a leader, a driver that has let's say more to say than anybody else. I felt that since day one. I think it's the best way to do it.

I wouldn't want to be the leader. I wouldn't want to change it just because he leaves now. Hopefully everything remains the same. The way we work, it pushes every single driver the most. I think that's what we need.

Q. You started racing at six years old. If you could go back and tell your six-year-old self how far you've come, how far you still have to go, what would it be?

ALEX PALOU: I don't know. Keep it up. I think probably just I would tell that kid to never give up. As I've mentioned at the beginning, I never thought I would be in this position ever, not even if my wildest dreams. I've been very, very fortunate in my life with different teams, even in go-karts with partners or different teams that would help me make the next step. I had that when I went to Japan. I had that when I came here with Dale Coyne. I had it when Chip gave me an opportunity to drive one of his cars.

I'd just tell him to never give up.

Q. At Long Beach you and Barry had a Taylor Swift dance. Will we ever see that dance make the light of day?

ALEX PALOU: Hopefully not. Never say never, but hopefully not.

THE MODERATOR: Big night planned?

ALEX PALOU: I don't know. Let me know.

THE MODERATOR: Got the speech prepared?

ALEX PALOU: I do not. I never prepare, otherwise I get nervous. Freestyle it.

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations.

ALEX PALOU: Thank you.

THE MODERATOR: You're on the track on Thursday at IMS.

ALEX PALOU: I am.

THE MODERATOR: We'll see you soon.

ALEX PALOU: Thank you.