Who Is Álex Palou? Age, Biography and Wiki
Álex Palou was born on April 1, 1997, in Sant Just Desvern, Spain. As of 2025, he is 28 years old. Palou gained fame for his impressive performances in various racing series, especially in IndyCar, where he has made a significant mark since his debut. His journey in motorsport began at a young age, and he quickly climbed the ranks due to his skill, determination, and strategic racing abilities.
| Occupation | Sports |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 1, 1997 |
| Age | 28 Years |
| Birth Place | Sant Antoni de Vilamajor, Barcelona, Spain |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | Spain |
Popularity
Álex Palou's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Álex Palou stands at an impressive height of 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) and weighs around 154 lbs (70 kg). He maintains a fit and athletic physique, which is essential for the physical demands of racing. His body measurements, while not widely published, reflect an athlete dedicated to his craft, emphasizing agility and endurance.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Álex Palou is currently in a relationship, though he has kept details about his partner relatively private. His girlfriend often supports him at races and is seen in various social media posts. While specific details about their relationship are limited, it appears that they share a strong bond built on mutual respect and understanding amid the pressures of a professional racing career.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Álex Palou’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million. His earnings come from a combination of salary from his racing teams, endorsements, and sponsorships. As he continues to excel in the IndyCar series and beyond, his net worth is expected to rise. Reports suggest that he earns an annual salary of approximately $1-2 million, reflecting his status as one of the top drivers in motorsport.
Moments after these tweets, McLaren announced that they had signed Palou to a contract for 2023, though it was not specifically mentioned if Palou would drive for Arrow McLaren SP, McLaren's IndyCar operation. Chip Ganassi Racing responded to this by releasing a statement reiterating their claim to Palou's services.
On 27 July 2022, Chip Ganassi Racing confirmed they had filed a civil lawsuit against Palou in Marion County, Indiana. On 14 September 2022, it was announced that an agreement had been reached by all parties that would see Palou continue with Chip Ganassi for the 2023 season, with McLaren signing him to test the McLaren MCL35M.
Palou was then set to switch to McLaren for the 2024 season. In August 2023, this arrangement fell apart after Palou told McLaren CEO Zak Brown that he had "no intention of honoring his contract" with McLaren. Following this, McLaren Racing and Arrow McLaren sued Palou for nearly $23 million in the U.K.
Commercial Court in an attempt to recoup investments made in Palou, including future sponsorship revenue tied to Palou joining McLaren, McLaren's cost when Palou was the test driver, the cost of finding a replacement for Palou, and Palou's $400,000 advanced 2024 salary.
In his legal response, Palou admitted to breaching his contract with McLaren as he lost faith in McLaren's ability to land him a seat in Formula One, saying that he is too old to wait and see if someone gets hurt to get his chance.
Career, Business and Investments
Álex Palou's career has been marked by significant achievements, including winning the 2021 IndyCar Series Championship. His journey includes notable participation in the European Formula 3 and the Japanese Super Formula series. Beyond racing, Palou is also involved in various business ventures and sponsorship deals that enhance his brand. His astute investments and collaborations signify a forward-thinking approach to life outside the racetrack.
At the Sochi Autodrom in Russia, Palou received a new engine that solved the top speed problems he suffered in Belgium and Italy. Because of Carlos Sainz's crash during Russian Grand Prix Free Practice 3, the first race of the weekend was moved to Sunday.
Palou qualified just a tenth away from Pole Position and scored a provisional season-high in the first race when he crossed the line in fourth place. He was ninth in the second one.
Social Network
Álex Palou is active on several social media platforms, including Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, where he engages with fans and shares glimpses into his life as a professional driver. He has cultivated a substantial following, with over 300,000 followers on Instagram alone, where he posts updates about his races, training routines, and personal life.
On 12 July 2022, Chip Ganassi Racing sent a press release saying that they had extended the contract of Palou for the 2023 IndyCar season by exercising the option they held on his deal. Included in the press release was a quote attributed to Palou.
Hours later, Palou, via a thread on Twitter denounced this press release, claimed that the quote attributed to him was created by the team (a practice common among IndyCar teams, according to RACER.com's Marshall Pruett) and also not approved by him.
He also stated that he had given Chip Ganassi Racing prior notice that he intended to leave the team after the 2022 season and join McLaren Racing's roster of drivers.
Education
While specific details about Álex Palou's formal education are not publicly known, it is evident that his dedication to racing and the motorsport industry has been a primary focus. His early involvement in karting and subsequently various racing academies indicates a strong commitment to developing his skills and knowledge in the field.
Palou had another strong start to 2024, finishing in the top five in eight of the first ten points scoring races, picking up wins on the IMS Road Course and at Laguna Seca, and taking an early points lead in the championship.
Although Palou only secured two points paying wins on the season, he also won the $1 Million Challenge, a non-championship event.
He used consistency throughout the rest of the season to top Colton Herta, Will Power, and Scott McLaughlin for his third IndyCar Series championship, becoming the first Indy car driver to win back to back championships since Dario Franchitti did in 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons.