Alex Palou will start P6 at the IndyCar Grand Prix of Portland, at a race where he hopes to wrap up the IndyCar Drivers’ Championship.
Palou’s qualifying performance leaves him chasing rival Pato O’Ward on Sunday. Palou can claim the Drivers’ Championship should he lead O’Ward by 108 points or more after the Portland GP. However, even O’Ward admits that it’s likely Palou will claim the title this season.
Speaking to the media, Palou is optimistic about his chances of winning the Drivers’ Championship this weekend, but knows the Portland GP is not his only opportunity.
Palou happy with qualifying despite late mistake
Palou made an uncharacteristic error during the Fast Six stage of qualifying at the Portland GP, heading into the barriers at the Turn 10-11 complex. The Chip Ganassi man apologises for his error, but is positive about his P5 start.
“Happy that we had pace. Obviously not happy that I went looking for mushrooms there in Fast Six. I tried a little bit too hard. Just lost the car. I don’t know if I impeded anybody. I’m sorry if I did. But yeah, it was good. We wanted to fight for pole. It’s good that we’re starting in the top six tomorrow.”
Palou added that the fast pace of his rivals led him to push too hard: “I saw that in Q2 they had a little bit more pace than me. Just wanted to give everything we had.”
Palou can’t wait to race his Chip Ganassi Racing car
Temperatures are expected to be scorching for the Portland GP, significantly higher than those throughout the weekend so far. When asked how tyres may react to the situation, Palou puts faith in his Chip Ganassi car.
“I think nobody knows what the track and the tyres are going to do tomorrow. Not yet. Hopefully today in the warm-up we’re going to kind of get a small idea of what the preferred tire is. It’s going to change tomorrow, as well.
“As of today, yeah, I think we have a great car. Yeah, I can’t wait.”
Palou aiming to win the Drivers’ Championship at Portland GP
Palou has had an exceptional season, and is just two race victories away from the IndyCar season record of 10. The Spaniard hopes to claim his fourth Drivers’ Championship in five years with victory at the Portland GP, but remains calm about his chances.
“I know that by winning the race I can win both things. That’s obviously the goal. I think everybody’s going to try and win the race tomorrow. I think we need to see. I’m not going to drive differently just because we have a chance.
“As long as we finish the year with the championship at home, that’s the goal, right? If we can get it tomorrow, great. If we can’t, it’s okay. But I think knowing that by winning the race we can clinch it here, that’s what we’re shooting for.”
