MIM driver clinches P2 on the grid with an amazing drive at an average speed of over 375 Kph
It was a glorious weekend for Monaco Increase Management and its drivers. Not only did David Vidales win his first F3 race in his maiden season on Saturday; on the same day, Alex Palou started his qualifying marathon at the Indianapolis 500, which ended on Sunday night (continental European time) with the Spanish driver clinching first row on the grid of the world’s most iconic car race!
On the eve of the event, Palou was confident that he could go for a smashing result this weekend on the 2.5 miles Indy superspeedway. He had been consistently quick and confident with the car prepared by Chip Ganassi Racing during all the practice sessions; on Saturday, he had eased himself into the Fast 12 who were to fight for the top qualifying spots. And in the final day, Palou once again proved his strength by entering the Fast Six session with an average speed of 233.347 miles per hour (375.455 Kph) which accounted for third fastest; and in the final stage, with the best six drivers fighting for a god spot, Alex drove his #10 Honda powered Dallara to a well deserved P2 by recording a scorching average speed of 233.499 mph (375,699 Kph) over his four timed laps run!
“Qualifying done here at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway”, commented Palou in his typical essential style. “Super happy to be in the front row for the first time here. The entire Chip Ganassi Racing team did an amazing job, and Honda is starting in potision one and two with Scott Dixon and myself. Hopefully, we can take one of our cars to victory lane next week.”
Palou’s lap speeds in this last effort clearly illustrate his pace: he started with a sensational 234.048 mph, then managed well the inevitable tire degradation by keeping very clean racing lines. 233.698 mph, 233.304 mph and 232.950 were the average speeds of his remaining three timed laps, while on approaching Turn 1 he recorded top speeds in the order of 241 mph, equivalent to over 387,7 Kph! This edition of the Indy 500 Qualifying will go to the record as one of the fastest ever, but Palou was one of the most consistent drivers throughout. Only Alex’s far more experienced team-mate Scott Dixon could do better than him and clinched a well-deserved pole position for the race on May, 29 (his 234.046 mph average speed is the fastest in the history of the Indianapolis race).
This year will mark the 106th edition of the Indy 500 and actually, only 19 drivers in the history of the race have won from P1; but qualifying in the first row as the top three drivers has always been a coveted prize for all drivers partaking in the race as it gives them a very good image return; so, no wonder that everyone at Monaco Increase is particularly happy with Palou’s achievement today. “I am really proud of Alex and of all our drivers at Monaco Increase Management”, said MIM’s CEO and founder Salvatore Gandolfo, who next week will be visiting Indianapolis to be with Palou on race weekend.
