Long Beach GP Alex Palou, IndyCar Champion
The way to the top "From very early on he stopped thinking about F1"
Interview "There are pilots older than my father"
The path, started seven years ago at the EuroFormula Open under the Campos Racing umbrella, came to fruition yesterday for
Alex Palou
. The IndyCar title, the first for a Spanish driver, was celebrated on the Long Beach podium with the classic ritual in front of the Astor Cup, a silver trophy with 106 years of history. "I feel super proud and super happy. I cannot thank everyone who has made this possible, especially Chip Ganassi," stammered the man from Barcelona before the NBC microphones. When they transferred the microphone to the owner of the team, asking him if there was something that Alex did wrong, Ganassi responded with the happiness of a father: "I could not tell you. I should think very well the answer."
The smell of burning rubber reached the champions' garage, because Palou had drawn his euphoria with the familiar
donuts
on the asphalt. "I have completed a dream. Now let's go for another one", launched Alex, who usually celebrates his victories with a fried chicken dinner and who has already suggested the possibility of repeating the menu if he achieved the title. At the age of 24, he became the youngest champion of the 21st century, only behind
Scott Dixon
, his illustrious garage companion. The New Zealander's teachings, like those of
NASCAR seven-time champion
Jimmie Johnson
, have laid the foundation for success.
Palou adds his name to that of other American speed legends, such as
Mario Andretti
or
AJ Foyt
, who gave the IndyCar luster.
However, several decades later, this championship is not exactly at its best.
Only the emergence of Palou, escorted by other young talents such as the Mexican
Pato O'Ward
, the American
Colton Herta
or the Dutch
Rinus VeeKay
can bring the business led by
Roger Penske
out of the morass
.
Diversify the market
The Captain
is the most decorated in Indy history, with 222 victories since 1971, including 18 in the 500 Miles. But his role has grown even stronger since November 2019, when he announced the purchase of the legendary Indianapolis oval. Three months later he was to complete the acquisition of IndyCar, pledging his fortune if the future of the business depended on it. At his side,
Mark Miles
, CEO since 2012 and
SK Luedtke
, vice president of the marketing department. After her signing, in February 2019, the main task of the former Nike executive has been to diversify a market that no longer stood on its traditional pillars. The target audience couldn't be reduced to three words: male, white, and retired.
With that objective between an eyebrow and an eyebrow, Miles, former president of the ATP between 1990 and 2005, launched himself for new strategic partners.
One of them has been NTT Data, the Japanese technology company that also supports Palou and pays 10 million dollars annually as the main sponsor.
As the CEO advanced last week, revenue from new sponsors will grow by around 20% from 2022.
However, for the commercial fabric to expand, it is necessary to be fully employed on the television battlefield.
After a tug of war with CBS, NBC announced last July the renewal of the contract, which expired at the end of the year, until 2024. Thanks to this agreement, the American public will be able to enjoy 14 open races (nine more of the offered in 2018).
Close to the plenary session offered by Movistar to its subscribers in Spain.
There is still a long way to go in this regard, given that the audience for the first event on the calendar, topped by Palou with a win at Barber, was followed by 914,000 people.
A figure much lower than the 3.3 million who enjoyed that weekend with NASCAR on Fox, although still ahead of that Sunday's F1 appointment in Imola (906,000 via cable on ESPN).
In any case, these screen shares pale in comparison to some NFL games that, according to Nielsen data, bring together about 20 million Americans in front of screens.
Looking for another biker
According to data from Miles, the sale of the rights to foreign channels could reach an increase of 30% from the next campaign. The influence of
Marcus Ericsson
in Sweden or
Romain Grosjean
in France has already been felt undoubtedly throughout 2021. And if it is possible to add something more about the importance of TV, just remember that a few days ago, Palou himself encouraged Movistar to offer the outcome of Long Beach through #Vamos, a channel with a greater following.
Another hot spot for Miles and Penske is under the hoods of the single-seaters.
The great goal, for at least five years, is to incorporate a third rider who competes with Honda and Chevrolet.
Although we will still have to wait, at least until 2023, for the full development of hybrid powertrains, a technology established in F1 for seven years.
And the fact is that the budgets of the teams have not only been frozen, but they are still at levels lower than those of the 90s. According to some estimates, with just over 10 million euros two cars can be put on the asphalt.
Palou, with Chip Ganassi's # 10 car, at the Long Beach finish line.
Under these lean premises, logically, the salaries of the 24 pilots have also had to adapt.
These contracts, shrouded in a haze unusual in American sports, rarely exceed one million euros a year.
Dixon is still the highest paid, with almost four million, less than half of what
Sergio Pérez makes
at Red Bull.
Others must settle for a pinch of what their sponsors contribute and there are those who suggest that a third of the grill gives what they eat for what they serve.
You are going to achieve numerous records in this sport.
And it is only beginning.
Chip ganassi
The last link in the business, although no less essential than the previous ones, affects the fans who come to the circuits. Leaving aside the unbeatable 500 Mile model, capable of gathering more than 250,000 people at the
Brickyard
, the day to day of the other 15 races of the championship has been much less dazzling. With races barely reaching 40,000 people in the stands, some promoters struggled to square their balance sheets. So Miles and
Jonathan Gibson
, his other VP of Marketing, seem compelled to follow the NASCAR guideline, which allows for more interaction between fans and drivers.
So in the middle of this hectic landscape, Palou's emergence should serve as a catalyst for IndyCar.
Ganassi's speech on Sunday hinted at what Penske, his bitter adversary on the track for decades, must also be brooding.
"Ladies and gentlemen. You are looking at a young man who is going to achieve many records in this sport. And he is only beginning. What a year he has given us. I must be honest with you: I was surprised when he knocked on my door, but he has already made his I work. I take off my hat. "
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