Álex Palou, the gold boy who makes history in the Indycar: to dream of Schumacher Alabama

Álex Palou is one of those representatives of Spanish sport that does not have the recognition he deserves because he has never had anything easy.The fact of having to look for life away from Spain to be able to pilot and to become a born competitor has caused its fame to grow beyond our borders, but here, in national territory, its name is almost no familiar.

However, if you continue devouring records to the rhythm that is doing it soon it will be one of the most famous names of motoring in Spain.At least, it should be with a person who has just made history in one of the most complicated scenarios in the motor world such as Indycar series, a discipline and a competition not suitable for any.This is where Palou's talent has nailed the flag of success to wave for years and, who knows, maybe decades.

History in Alabama

The Spanish pilot Álex Palou made history last night after winning the Alabama Grand Prix of the Indycar Series, something that had never happened.No one had managed to win a career of this complicated engine modality having been born in Spain and Palou has achieved it in his second year in the category and in his first race with his new team, the chip ejoussi.In addition, with this sensational triumph, Palou follows the path marked by Oriol Serviá that in 2005 he was able to win in Montreal in the Champ Car.

This victory of Palou has been so incredible that he has caught everyone by surprise.Being the first Spanish pilot who wins a Grand Prix in the INDY has the disadvantage that no one expects it, but that only makes his success even more legendary.Alabama's Honda Grand Prix will be forever recorded in the retina of all Indy fans in Spain as a historical event, and all because Palou got the first national triumph in Formula 1 of the United States, the most absolute elite.

In addition, Palou's victory did not arrive in any way, but did it in his debut with desirei and in the first race of the season, at the premiere of the 2021 course.This success also arrived thanks to a great comeback since Palou was in third position after having qualified for the Fast Six of the Alabama Grand Prix.While the great Patricio O'ward took the pole position, Palou machined his attack from third position to glory.

A victory based on its domain on the track, but also in the strategy drawn by the desire team that led to the finish line to a Palou who came out victorious from the interesting chess game that was played on the path of Alabama.With two manual overcut at the first stop at boxes, Palou managed.However, Álex does not conform to this since he has assured that if the championship has started strong, he will continue to the maximum.Ambition and character do not lack their 24 years.

A difficult path

Álex Palou's ratio with the engine began when it was very small.On the journey he did from his home to school he spent a karting track in front.There he stared, almost self -absorbed with those small vehicles that he saw at full speed in front of his eyes.Therefore, one day he armed himself with value and decided that he also wanted to prove that it was to pilot.I was only four years old.

In this way, when Álex turned five, his family decided to give him a kart so he could try and kill the bug.Since he got up again he wanted to get off.He instantly decided that his dream was to be a pilot, compete, and that he wanted to make a living.He grew watching formula 1 on television and, although in his first years of career and learning he dreamed of being one more of the 'great circus', he soon realized that this door was almost closed to the fullest for him, for whatthat he decided to take the path that life offered him without losing the illusion and ambition for his true vocation: to be a pilot.

Palou decided to pursue his dream to the extreme and therefore, at 24, he has already become a globetrotter of the engine, through different categories and in different countries, traveling the world from one extreme to the other.Despite his youth, Álex has already competed in the Spanish formula 3 where he was runner -up and in the Euroformula where he was third adding three victories and eleven podiums in what was a great season.In addition, Alex also tried luck at the BRDC Formula 4, in the GP3 series and has even participated several times in the dangerous Grand Prix of Macao.

However, everything was twisted in 2017 when he ran out of offers.It was the first moment in which pilot's life really realized is really hard and that without a destiny to go, everything ends.And Palou thought his dream was over.However, at the last minute a great offer arrived from Japan and Alex did not hesitate, he took his suitcase full of desire and dreams and crossed the world to continue driving.

He participated in Formula 3 Japanese concluding the course in third position and adding another three victories to his already important history.In addition, Palou also tried luck in the World Series Formula V8, in the F2, in the European F3, in the super Japanese formula and in the Japanese super GT.All this before making the definitive leap to the Indycar Series with the Dale Coyne Racing team in 2020.In his third career he managed to add his first podium in Road America and now, in his first 2021 prize with desirei he has already pointed his first victory.

Eclipsed by Alonso

In spite of not having managed to reach Formula 1, the name of Álex Palou is very closely linked to that of Fernando Alonso and it is that his paths have been united in some moments of their lives, already out of direct or indirect way.The lives of Palou and Alonso will always be connected since its inception.

Both the Asturian and the Catalan began, as many engine talents, from karting, the biggest strong jewelry of piloting with more than proven successes.Some like Fernando Alonso continue to practice it every time they can even have become a Formula 1 star.Returning to its beginnings in Karting, both Alonso and Palou were discovered by the same mentor, by the mythical Adrián Campos, sadly deceased last January.Álex and Fernando's talent passed the same filter, that of the skilled retina of a fields that saw in them champions wood.

Without being able to imagine either of them, neither did Campos himself, Fernando and Álex agreed on the same circuit on August 23 in the celebration of the mythical test of the 500 miles of Indianapolis.While Alonso, I unsuccessfully sought to complete the long -awaited triple crown with a triumph in the most famous and demanding oval in the world, Palou emerged in his first participation leaving very positive sensations.It was the great impact that Fernando gave to that test in Spain that allowed many to realize that there was a world beyond formula 1 and that there was Palou, showing his talent.

The two Spanish pilots not only coincided on the track, but also did it outside the circuit where they could chat on several occasions and even a two -time champion of the world of Formula 1 like Fernando Alonso was able to congratulate Palou for his impressive progress.Álex managed to sneak into the prestigious Fast Nine to fight for pole and in the end some problems in the car deprived him of not going out later of the seventh place on the grid, which was a great result for a roakie.

Schumacher and F1

Although Álex Palou's life now revolves around Indycar, a mission that is happy and eager to continue making history, there was a time when he dreamed of what all children dream when they see a pilotProfessional giving everything on the track.Palou was also, during his beginning.

In those years where Álex grew seeing races there was a German pilot who dominated all his rivals with an impressive tyranny and who was called to consecrate himself as the best pilot of Formula 1 in all history.That German they called the 'Kaiser' was none other than Michael Schumacher, who opened the heart of all engine fans and settled next to his red monkey and Ferrari to stay there forever.

There was a time when Palou dreamed of being like him although his life has finally gone for very remote paths, although fulfilling his dreams of being a race pilot season after season.The example of Palou, who has now made history in the Indy, is that of the new golden boy of motor racing that never had enough resources to make a career in Formula 1 and that, without having gone through one of the great academies such asFerrari, Red Bull or McLaren, had to close the door of the 'Great Circus' forever and launch to look for a new life.But always with a steering wheel.

[More information: Álex Palou makes history in Alabama: first Spanish to win a Grand Prix of the Indycar]

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