Incomplete party for Palou: he is much more of a leader but loses the victory against O’Ward

Davide Piano July 7, 2024

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Incomplete party for Palou: he is much more of a leader but loses the victory against O'Ward

PIt could have been even better, but The start of the hybrid era for Álex Palou has been outstanding. And we don’t say honor roll because a victory that was in his hand escaped him for 60 of the 80 laps of the race. But he went to Mexico, for the private accountant of Patricio O’Ward (McLaren)which is already part of IndyCar history as first winner of the hybrid era.

For three quarters of the race Palou seemed launched towards his third victory (scored) of the year. Was comfortable with the hybrid carespecially with hard tires, but He suffered again with the soft ones and, with an unfortunate second stop, he lost everything he had worked on until then.

But the best is the look at the championship: While Palou felt like a fish in water with the new cars, his two main enemies were shipwrecked. Dixon was eliminated by mechanical problems y Power was powerless to recover with the Penske. Thus, Palou presents itself in the ‘oval season’ with an ideal mattress: 48 points on Power (almost a race distance) and 70 about O’Wardwhich ousts a unfortunate Dixon from the provisional podium.

Dixon, eliminated from exit

The first in suffer the arrival of hybridization was nothing less than Scott Dixonwho watched helplessly as his Ganassi stopped on the formation lap with power problems and had to get out of the car before even seeing the green flag (later he would get out to learn, but without options). A setback that could be decisive for their title aspirations…and that, therefore, It comes in handy for Palou.

The Catalan, on the contrary, had no difficulty in defend first position at the start before the ambitions of O’Ward. And not only that, but in the first 20 laps he gained five and a half seconds of distance from the Mexican. Additionally, all favorites (except Penske of Power y Newgardenwho started very far behind and did not recover in the initial turns) came out with the hard wheels as first choice.

Palou arrived at the first stop with a more than enough distance to do it without failures (something that was not easy for everyone, because there were several puffs on pit road) and face the round with the red (soft) ones, which did not go so well. As has already happened in other races Ganassi didn’t have as much pace with the softest compound and Palou’s lead over O’Ward was reduced to nothingbecause the Mexican made his second stop in the wake of the Spanish.

That second stop it cost him victory To Spanish. First, because on his return return, in full overcutmet Will Power, which made him waste time. And second, and more important, because Palou took a few seconds to get back on track. once refueling is completed. Total, 2.4 seconds lost in all this process and, with it, the leadership of the race.

Palou, nonconformist

Lack of 20 laps to go the Spanish could have settled for that second place. Not in vain, with Dixon in last position and Power suffering to reach the top 10 (in the end he was 11th), the blow to the championship was given even when he was second.

However, as soon as he warmed up his tires He went after O’Ward. First he neutralized the second and a half that the Mexican from McLaren would have managed to amass and then He tried everything to regain his rightful place.. Palou wanted the win…

The best proof is that in those final 20 laps he even stepped on the ground (lightly) on two occasions. But it was not enough to overcome a Duck O’Ward who defended himself magnificently well… and he ran almost the last 10 laps behind laps.

Palou, pese al good business he did ahead of the championshipwas upset at the finish line: “It is a pity, the car was incredible all weekend and the team worked very well. The problem is that We couldn’t make the soft tires last that stint.we destroy them.”

The pilot took responsibility for that victory that escaped today in Ohio: “At the stop, it was difficult for me to engage first gear, It was my mistake and it possibly cost us the victory. Today I thought about winning. It was a shame because we loved her. Maybe tomorrow I’ll be happier because of the points. “No doubt he will be when he sees that already He almost had a mattress race with Power…

O’Ward ended a long win drought.Penske Entertainment: Travis Hinkle

Next goal for Palou: the ovals

The IndyCar He doesn’t rest… and next weekend he will put another challenge to the drivers: the first two races with the hybrid cars on an oval track, the Iowa Speedwaywhich will have a double date: Saturday and Sunday July 13 and 14.

Seran the first two of the six races on ovals (short and long) that will be dotted with just one urban track (Toronto) and another permanent (Portland) in the next two months. And in that scenario, theoretically unfavorable for Palou, is where the Spaniard will play a third title that today is a little (or a lot) closer.