Reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou recently shared his candid opinion on Nolan Siegel’s expletive-filled rant against Team Penske that went viral following an incident at the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at Gateway. The controversy arose when Siegel, who was about to be lapped by race leader Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske, defended his position too aggressively, nearly forcing McLaughlin off the track. As a result, IndyCar issued Siegel a drive-through penalty. Frustrated, Siegel expressed his anger over the radio with harsh language directed at both the penalty and Team Penske, sparking widespread debate on social media. Both Siegel and his team, Arrow McLaren, apologized before the next race at Road America.

Alex Palou, known for his calm and composed demeanor, addressed the situation on the Pit Pass Indy podcast. He acknowledged that while he does not support the tone of Siegel’s message, he understands the pressure drivers face when racing at speeds of around 220 mph. Palou emphasized that moments of anger are natural given the intensity of the competition and the stakes involved in fighting for race positions and careers. He stated that such outbursts should be accepted as long as they are not excessively disrespectful.

Palou also highlighted the difference between IndyCar and other sports regarding live broadcasts of athletes’ in-event communications. He believes it is beneficial for fans to hear drivers’ real-time reactions and thoughts while racing, even if the language is sometimes inappropriate. Palou noted that this was Siegel’s first such incident and suggested it should be forgiven.

Interestingly, Scott McLaughlin, the target of Siegel’s rant, expressed a similar view, admitting he is “no angel” himself when it comes to on-track emotions. At the Gateway race, McLaughlin retired due to a mechanical issue, while Siegel finished 19th and Palou 8th.

Separately, Alex Palou has been nominated for the Best Driver category at the 2025 ESPY Awards alongside notable names such as Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, and NASCAR’s Joey Logano. Palou has had a dominant season with six wins in nine IndyCar races and secured his first Indianapolis 500 victory this year. He is aiming for a third consecutive IndyCar championship and a fourth overall. Voting for the ESPYs is open until July 16, 2025, with the awards ceremony airing on ABC.