Palou, a four-time series champion and an eight-time IndyCar race winner this year alone, reportedly denied knowledge of any ongoing talks.

Verstappen had a similarly quick rise in Formula 1, entering the top flight of motorsport as a teenager — joining Toro Rosso at 17 years old. He impressed during his rookie season and eventually made his way to the senior Red Bull team. The teenager was at a top-flight team at such a young age and was thriving.