Alex Palou is the first poleman of the hybrid era of IndyCar

Davide Piano July 6, 2024

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Alex Palou is the first poleman of the hybrid era of IndyCar

Alex Palou has always shown itself, since the beginning of the season, very convinced that the hybridization of single-seaters would do well…and the first opportunity he has had has proven it with facts. The Catalan, leader and current IndyCar champion, is the first poleman of the hybrid era.

Palou will leave from the best position possible tomorrow at Mid Ohio 200 Milesthe ninth race of the year, and with serious options to increase his lead over Power and Dixon who, unlike the Spanish, clicked on this first classification with hybrid cars that premiere this weekend.

Palou, very solid

The pilots already enjoyed in the hybrid power classification of the new engines and in the case of Palou there seemed to be no difference with the last race, where also took pole at Laguna Seca. Today’s is quinta of the two-time champion’s career, who is showing notable improvement this year in its benefits on Saturdays.

Palou started with strength, leading his group in ‘Q1’ of the IndyCar… which was not at all easy, as demonstrated by the fact that two notables in the championship such as Kyle Kirkwood (Andretti) and Felix Rosenqvist (Meyer Shank) could not advance to the phase.

There was also surprisesand fat, in the second group. Furthermore, very positive for the interests of Álex Palou because His two rivals for the championship were already in that first cut. In Scott Dixon (and the Ganassi hybrids were very competitive in Mid Ohio) nor Will Power (nor Josef Newgarden), were able to get among the 12 fastest. Thus, they were condemned to complicated starting positions: Dixon 14th y Power 16º.

In the decisive phasePalou marked the third fastest time on his first attempt behind of Open up y Pato O’Ward, who arrived in Ecuador with the best provisional time. But In the final attempt… a sensational lap was achieved that the Mexican could not respond.

And with the last third of the track remaining he surpassed the two-time champion by a thousandths… but suffered from a lot of understeer in several corners and there was precious time that gave the Spaniard a very tight pole (by just two thousandths)… but very significant, since it represents an avalanche of optimism for Palou since, as he himself predicted, The hybrid era can be very favorable to you.

Palou was the last polesitter for the combustion IndyCar and the first for the hybrid.Honda Racing/LAT

First poleman of the hybrid era

“We knew he had a super fast car“It has been sensational,” he commented with a smile of maximum satisfaction to American television. Regarding whether his adaptation to hybridization has been better than that of the rest, he did not want to draw conclusions… although the results speak for themselves: “We have to check the data, but I have been comfortable. It is the first pole in the hybrid era and it is to be happy,” he said.

Tomorrow, starting at 7:53 p.m. (when the starting signal for the appointment will be given) Mid Ohio) we will check if you are able to transfer this good performance also to the race of which, let us remember, is the last winner.