Social media reacts to massive Alex Palou-ChipGanassi-McLaren mess

You've heard of "Where's Waldo?" Well, IndyCar and potentially F1 are now embroiled in a "Where's Alex (racing in 2023)?"

Racing Twitter was set ablaze Tuesday night as controversy arose over the battle between Chip Ganassi Racing and McLaren F1’s claim to 2021 INDYCAR champion Alex Palou.

Late Tuesday afternoon, CGR issued a media release and tweet that said the team had exercised the lone option year on Palou's contract. In other words, Palou is contractually obligated to drive for CGR in 2023, the final year of his current three-year deal.

Palou, on the other hand, along with a media release from McLaren saying it had signed the defending IndyCar champ to a deal that begins in 2023, both feel otherwise and that he is not beholden to CGR for one more year.

What's interesting about the whole situation, particularly from McLaren's side, is that its release does not indicate whether Palou will drive in IndyCar or potentially even Formula One. 

Here are some of the best reactions from Twitter since McLaren released its statement claiming it has signed Palou:

Palou reacts to McLaren F1’s press release after denying a quote Chip Ganassi Racing attributed to him.

Excited to share the news, and looking forward to a future with @McLarenF1 https://t.co/uJKOfUJqVW

— Alex Palou Montalbo (@AlexPalou) July 12, 2022

The Athletic’s Jeff Gluck sums up Tuesday night’s drama well here.

IndyCar bombshell: Hours after Chip Ganassi Racing announces it has picked up the contract option on defending series champ Alex Palou (complete with a quote from Palou), Palou tweets that’s not true and then McLaren says it’s signed him for ‘23. Wow. pic.twitter.com/28w4RCx0Tu

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) July 12, 2022

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown welcomes Palou to McLaren Racing. He fails to say anything about Formula One specifically.

Delighted to bring @AlexPalou into the McLaren Racing family! As the INDYCAR champion, Alex is a fantastic addition to the already phenomenal talent we have in our driver roster. Bring on 2023! 👊 pic.twitter.com/tRh6cQpndo

— Zak Brown (@ZBrownCEO) July 12, 2022

Motorsport.com corrected themselves after leaving Palou off their list only hours earlier:

*Alex Palou entered the chat* 😅#F1 #IndyCar #Motorsport https://t.co/Ufxnz8G2me

— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) July 12, 2022

Beyond the Flag has a cheeky explanation for the supposed Palou extension:

Maybe Alex Palou’s extension for 2023 meant 2,023 more seconds or something

— Beyond the Flag (@Beyond_The_Flag) July 13, 2022

This one fan summed up Ganassi’s reaction pretty well.

Chip opening twitter. pic.twitter.com/gWJ5bvIPFu

— Matt Archuleta (@indy44) July 12, 2022

Former INDYCAR driver Townsend Bell summed up things pretty plainly:

Should be an interesting weekend. pic.twitter.com/JKS0BlWCGJ

— Townsend Bell (@townsendbell) July 12, 2022

Freelance Formula One journalist Chris Medland chimes in on the drama.

And this is what Palou was talking about. Feels like this will take a while to resolve... 🍿 #IndyCar #F1 https://t.co/j2aoumLbfR

— Chris Medland (@ChrisMedlandF1) July 12, 2022

Even INDYCAR is weighing in by using the popular Usher Tiny Desk meme:

Just a regular Tuesday night over here… pic.twitter.com/5ta2bQLR1N

— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) July 13, 2022

NASCAR driver and defending Daytona 500 winner Austin Cindric jokes the two bosses should literally fight it out for Palou:

Here's the solution:

We need
Chip Ganassi vs Zak Brown
In the Octagon.
Pay per view. Winner takes all.

Internet do your thing.#IndyCar #F1

— Austin Cindric (@AustinCindric) July 13, 2022

And then there's IndyCar driver Conor Daly, who also is rumored to be considered for a Formula One seat, jokes about the drama:

Is there a Mclaren boat racing team yet or nah? Asking for a range of drivers. #Drama pic.twitter.com/dONH3AJSmR

— Conor Daly (@ConorDaly22) July 12, 2022

Chip Ganassi Racing’s twitter team quickly got rid of some Palou tweets:

We definitely haven't heard the end of this tale, for sure.