Fernando Alonso sends message to Alex Palou amid 2026 Red Bull Formula 1 links

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Alex Palou has been linked with Formula 1 seats for some time, but has never been given an opportunity. The IndyCar star has now re-emerged on the market as a possible target for Red Bull.

The Spaniard has been the unstoppable force in IndyCar in recent years, winning four titles in the last five seasons. Palou wrapped up his fourth championship in 2025 before the season finale, whilst also winning the Indy 500 for the first time.

The 28-year-old’s name has appeared on the F1 driver market a couple of times over the past few years. He was close to signing a contract with McLaren, before he broke the deal to stay at Chip Ganassi Racing, sparking an ongoing legal dispute.

Now, in 2025, the IndyCar star has once again appeared in conversations for an F1 seat. It has been reported that Red Bull are interested in Palou in what would be a sensational move for the 2026 season.

Fernando Alonso tells Alex Palou ‘he has my phone number’ amid Red Bull links

Red Bull are weighing up their options for Max Verstappen’s teammate next season. The Dutchman has committed to 2026 with the team after being heavily linked with Mercedes.

Yuki Tsunoda is likely to lose his seat at the end of the year, with Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar also out of contract at Racing Bulls. The Japanese driver has struggled immensely in the second RB21, scoring just seven points since replacing Lawson at Suzuka.

His Racing Bulls teammate is being tipped for the seat in 2026, but Hadjar is hesitant about joining Red Bull so soon in his career. It has prompted speculation that the team could turn to Palou and try to attract him to the F1 grid.

The Spaniard would create a phenomenal and entertaining driver pairing with Verstappen, and several key figures have already had their say on the links.

Fellow compatriot Fernando Alonso was asked by the media at the Dutch Grand Prix about Palou’s interest from Red Bull, to which he replied: “As I said about Max, he has my phone number if he wants.” The comment was a little joke regarding his management role with Gabriel Bortoleto.

He then added: “He has the talent and the ability to adapt quickly. In the end, it all depends on the car you have. If you’re at the back of the grid, it seems like you don’t adapt and you make more mistakes because you’re trying to compensate. If you have a fast car, everything is easier.

“I think he’s definitely at Formula 1 level, and if he gets the chance, I’ll be very happy for him.”

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How likely is it that Alex Palou will join Red Bull in 2026?

F1 fans would love to see Alex Palou at Red Bull, regarding him as an ‘incredible talent’. It would be a major coup from the Milton Keynes outfit to sign the IndyCar legend.

But Helmut Marko may have already ruled out Palou as an option for 2026, given his previous comments about Red Bull’s operation. The Austrian has stated that the team develop talent, rather than buying it.

It would suggest that Red Bull would look to promote from within their current driver pool, instead of looking outside F1. Palou would be a huge statement of intent ahead of the 2026 F1 regulations, but a move is likely not on the cards.

James Hinchcliffe has dispelled the Palou rumours as ‘counterintuitive’, given his trouble with contracts in the past. The F1 world will just have to wait to see what Red Bull’s next move will be for 2026.