Scott Dixon insists that Christian Lundgaard faces an uphill battle as he steps into the formidable shadow of Alex Palou at Chip Ganassi Racing. Lundgaard was recently named as Dixon's successor in the iconic #9 Honda entry, taking over the cockpit following Dixon's high-profile move to Arrow McLaren after a legendary 25-year tenure.
Speaking ahead of the IMSA season finale at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, the six-time IndyCar champion acknowledged that while Lundgaard is stepping into a winning environment, measuring up against Palou represents the ultimate internal benchmark in modern open-wheel racing.
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Subscribe"It'll be tough going up against Alex, for sure, and especially in his environment," said Dixon. "But I think from what we've seen with Christian over the last few years, he's going to be a good challenge and a great fit for the team."
While Lundgaard prepares to transition into his new role, Dixon remains sidelined by contractual gardening leave through the end of the year before he can officially begin working with Arrow McLaren. Despite the restriction, the veteran driver maintains a packed schedule spanning testing, simulator sessions, and upcoming visits to NASCAR Cup events.
Dixon Reflects On CGR Legacy And Future Plans
Reflecting on his departure from Chip Ganassi Racing, Dixon admitted that the strict non-compete terms came as a slight surprise. Although his successor was released promptly following the conclusion of the season, Dixon must wait until January 1st to officially start his new deal.
The 46-year-old New Zealander also touched upon his final weekend sharing a paddock camp with Palou after six seasons as teammates. When asked about the emotional weight of their parting under the Ganassi umbrella, Dixon kept his characteristic professional focus.
"I didn't even really think of it that way. It's always fun to work with Alex," Dixon remarked, noting that future crossovers in endurance GT racing could still bring their professional paths back together down the line.
Looking further ahead, Dixon's calendar remains flexible as he weighs potential participation in the Race of Champions, which takes place as a home event in Wellington, New Zealand, alongside managing media appearances and supporting his son's karting career.