Alex Palou opens IndyCar season with St. Pete dominance

Field Level Media|published: 03/01/2026, 4:48pm EST

Mar 1, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Chip Ganassi Racing driver Alex Palou (10) stands on the podium after winning the NTT Indycar Series at the Firestone Grand Prix on the Streets of St. Petersburg. Mandatory Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn Images

Alex Palou blasted off the 2026 starting line with the same dominance he displayed in 2025, cruising to an overwhelming victory over the field Sunday at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Fla.

The Spaniard bested his next best competitor, New Zealand's Scott McLaughlin, by nearly 12.5 seconds (12.4948), continuing a tradition of control of a sport that he so firmly established in 2025 with a 196-point championship margin.

"This team keeps on improving, keeps on making new changes, and they just keep on raising the bar," Palou said after guiding his No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to the checkered flag. "It's pretty impressive. It's a long season in front of us, but what a great way to start the season."

As the reigning winner of this event, Palou and Chip Ganassi Racing took some time in gaining the lead -- on Lap 42 of 100 -- yet that deliberate approach proved fruitful, and Palou credited his team's approach to new tire regulations as being key.

"Those Firestones were like everlasting," Palou said. "They would just keep going. I had an amazing car today."

Indy Car rules required at least two sets of Firestone Firehawk alternate tire with red sidewalls -- a softer tire -- be used. The change didn't negatively affect Palou, who nevertheless opted for a traditional firmer tire for his final leg.

McLaughlin jockeyed with Christian Lundgaard of Denmark and Kyle Kirkwood across the final 10 laps, with McLaughlin and Lundgaard passing Kirkwood to secure second and third, respectively. Kirkwood finished fourth, and Mexico's Pato O'Ward rounded out the top five.

--Field Level Media