Monaco, August 14 – The end of the race was nearing at the Big Machine Spiked Coolers Grand Prix and MIM’s driver Alex Palou looked set to further increase his Championship points advantage. Starting from P6 on the grid, the Spaniard had managed to overcome early power issues that had cost him one position. A combination of swift driving and well planned strategies had resulted in his #10 CGR Honda-powered Dallara car to steadily progress through the field. After passing poleman Pato O’Ward, who was the driver to beat for the Championship this weekend, Palou was the fastest man on track and likely to go from P4 to a podium finish. Then, with just 18 laps to go on the Indianapolis road course, his engine suddenly gave way in a cloud of smoke. This failure sidelined Palou from the race but he managed to keep the lead in the overall point standings with 21 points over O’Ward. And Alex, together with Monaco Increase Management, is determined to never give up, even though he’s likely to serve yet another grid penalty for engine change at the next event at the World Wide Technology Raceway next weekend.