After winning his second title, indy car, Alex Parow return Barcelona Catalunya Circuit 1 month ago racing weekendas the owner of his new lower category team. PALOW MOTORSPORTS, participated in Eurocup3. What there is is San Antoni de Vilamajor He joined this newspaper during his holidays and worked hard, in front of the box of the group where he worked the most, together with engineers, mechanics and young talents.

Many years later, he returned to the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit. This time as the owner of his own racing team along with his father.

It’s an honor to be here, especially coming back to the circuit is always special, and I was part of the circuit’s young pilot program. And now I’m back with our team (him and his father), which makes it even more special.

Why did you decide to form a team? Considering what it took to get to where you are today, wouldn’t it be difficult in the future to relive all the trouble you went through by accompanying other young pilots in search of a good seat? That would take a lot of courage. It’s about being…

And stress! (Laughs) It’s quite stressful. Here he spends a day hard, but at the same time fun. For example, we’ve helped one of our “new” guys through his week, and he’s been helping out a lot throughout the year, and he’s doing great. That’s what we want, to help our drivers and in the future give them the kind of opportunities that we had thanks to Adrian Campos (and his team, Campos Racing). Because without him I wouldn’t be here. I would like to do the same. After all, we love racing too much, so this is a way to add it to your calendar even when you’re not in the car. And the truth is that I’m very happy.

[+] Watch the video interview with Alex Parow

“I want to help the drivers and in the future give them the kind of opportunities that I got thanks to Adrian Campos. Without him I wouldn’t be here.”

Alex Parow

How do you track the progress of new teams from the US? How do you get involved?

I hang out with the engineers a lot, so I can have a little more input. I’m not an engineer, but I have experience with IndyCar and how it works in the United States. As for pilots, it really depends on each pilot and the support they need. I help them a lot. When I’m here, I do a little simulator with them, and then I talk to them, look at the boards, and comment. This will give them the confidence to ask whatever questions they want. And I keep learning too! In motorsport, you’re always learning. But you give the pilots confidence that there’s someone out there who knows what they’re going through.

What important advice do you usually give young drivers?

It depends a lot on the person. For example, some drivers have never experienced karting and do not have basic knowledge, but they have other knowledge because they have already run formula directly. Above all, the use of tires in qualifying is very important, because in qualifying he only has 15 minutes and that pretty much determines the result of the weekend. There are a lot of people who aren’t used to giving 100%…but there are a thousand ways to do that.

Genis Marko gave me a key that young people should remember. If you have a car that can get you 5th place, you should try to get 4th place.

Yes, we always strive… But many drivers, and myself included in the package, always want to be in the top position and there are days when it is not possible. is a fact. Some days the car isn’t there, some days you’re not there, some days the conditions aren’t there, or some days someone is just a little better than you. And you have to have patience and understand that today is not your day and your day is to finish in third place. You have to understand that it’s a good result and you have to bring back points, experience and everything else.

“There are days when the car is not there, days when you are not there, days when the conditions are not good or someone is a little better than you, and you have to understand that then you have to bring the points home. It won’t happen.”

Alex Parow

He has already won two IndyCar titles in the past three years. By 2023, it has taken over. Will his next challenge be to set a record in the U.S. or win the Indy 500?

I would like to win more championships if I could, but it’s not easy… This year went very well, but I don’t know what will happen next year. I don’t know how that will change, especially now that we have a hybrid system. If that changes… then we must adapt. And the Indianapolis 500 is the biggest goal we have to accomplish. It’s very difficult. You only get one chance a year, and he only has one day. Everything has to be perfect to win a race that is sometimes worth more than a championship. A little bit of luck, strategy, you, your car, everything has to be perfect. We will continue to take on challenges without forgetting our victory. Let’s see if we can get more.

“The Indianapolis 500 is our biggest goal. We will continue to strive.”

Do you think the 500m is cruel to you because you have come close to winning a few times?

No, I wouldn’t say that. The first year I had an accident, then I came second…but it wasn’t cruel. In the end, Helio (Castroneves) was better than us. This year we were 4th, so it could be better, but it’s not bad. I will continue to gain experience so that I can win the 500 mile race someday. I hope it will be the same next year. If not, proceed to the next step.

He had a complicated few years due to future negotiations and subsequent legal disputes, but in the car he managed to remain unaffected by it, giving his best version and winning the race, earning his second of the year. won the title.

The past two years have not been easy. Things have calmed down a lot now and everyone knows a little more about what will happen. Most of all, unlike 2022, which was a tougher year, this year I was able to focus more on the track. It’s never ideal, but it was what was supposed to happen. We did well in 2022 and at least in 2023 we could win the championship and show that what we did on the track was good and that we didn’t let what was going on outside hold us back. I’m happy.

F1 may or may not appear in the future, but it will take away the “Bailao”.

Yes, it’s obvious. F1 wasn’t my only goal. Of course every driver wants to go to F1, but I always think I’m the one who knows there are more opportunities. Being in America is a dream come true for me and I know how lucky I am to be in IndyCar with a car and a team that fight for victories. But hey… we had an opportunity (as testers in F1) with McLaren. I think we were able to demonstrate 100% of our results in the test with the old car and the subsequent COTA Free Practice 1 (Austin 2022). I learned a lot and had a great time. But right now I’m 100% focused on IndyCar and trying to win more titles.

“I had an opportunity with McLaren in F1 and I think I made the most of it 100%.”

Alex Parow

“Alonso is 42 years old, but he will still be able to do it at 44. You have people who don’t slow down, who are smarter, who make plays like that for you…”

Alex Parow

He doesn’t think about F1, but he could appreciate the car that Fernando Alonso recently drove in Brazil, for example. Do you understand that he would run a race like this at 42 years old? How difficult was it for him to do what he did against Perez?

It’s very difficult. I saw him live and it was amazing, and I think it’s always difficult to defend with the same car, and I think it’s very difficult to defend 10 laps as smartly as he did. . But if you own a car that’s in even worse condition and doesn’t have DRS, it’s a huge benefit. Does it make sense that he would do that at 42 years old? I think he will be like that even at 44 years old. I don’t think (age) will hinder him (from his best performance). In fact, as he says, and as I’ve seen with my partner Scott Dixon, 43, they never lose speed. Some people lose it, but there are others like Fernando and Dixon who don’t lose it and are simply smarter, have more experience and play in a way that leaves you speechless.

“Alonso’s performance in Brazil was great. It’s always difficult to defend yourself with the same car, but defending yourself with a worse car…”

Alex Parow

Between Verstappen, Alonso and Hamilton…who will it be in the end?

I…well, I have a lot of friendship with Max Verstappen and have done quite a few races with his virtual team. I’m with Max just because of the friendship and because I shared a team with him in Kurt… What he is doing in F1 is incredible. It’s a great car, but it has its benefits. After all, no one can reach him. So I’m with Max.

Alonso, Max or Hamilton? I’m with Max. “What he’s doing in F1 is incredible.”

Alex Parow

IndyCar driver Agustin Canapino said you were an “alien” and better than Max Verstappen because you were also faster on the ovals.

We were very close friends and I think he liked the attention he gave me more than I deserved. We have a very good friendship. Of course, I’m not going to say no. I accept compliments honestly, but I feel like I’m exaggerating a bit…

where is your roof?

I don’t think there is an upper limit to anything.

That means I believe there is still room for improvement.

Of course, sure.

What would you like to apply to the driving of drivers like Verstappen and Alonso?

Huh! There’s always something…for example, a defensive strategy, always knowing how to defend, reading the race a little better. That’s why I’m not going to tell Alonso some things. There are also some starts, but they are thrown out so they are not needed in IndyCar. And with Max (Verstappen), I would stick to speed. I took a few things from each and put them in my pocket.

What message would you like to send to Sportish fans?

Thank you for your support and follow-up over the year. Listen to the news Sportish brings us and see you soon on the circuits and networks. Hugs to everyone!

To lift the title. Thank you for your time.

Yeah! thank you.