IndyCar Champion Backs Verstappen's McLaren Claim Ahead of F1 Finale

IndyCar champion Alex Palou asserts that Max Verstappen would have clinched the 2025 Formula 1 Drivers' Championship two months earlier if he were driving this season's McLaren MCL39. This bold claim comes as F1 heads into a thrilling three-way title decider in Abu Dhabi.

Why it matters:

Palou's strong endorsement highlights the perceived exceptional talent of Verstappen, suggesting that even in a highly competitive car like the McLaren, his dominance would be amplified. It also frames the ongoing F1 title fight, currently a tight contest between Verstappen and McLaren's drivers, as a testament to Red Bull's current struggles rather than a true measure of Verstappen's ultimate potential.

The details:

• Palou's Statement: Alex Palou, a four-time IndyCar champion, told Mundo Deportivo that Verstappen "would have won weeks ago, two months ago" in a McLaren.
• Personal Comparison: While Palou believes he could contend for victories in a McLaren, he stressed that only Verstappen could have secured the title with such an early margin.
• Current Standings: The 2025 F1 Drivers' Championship is tied heading into the Abu Dhabi finale, with Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri all in contention.
  • Norris leads by 12 points.
  • Verstappen is four points ahead of Piastri.
• Norris's Challenge: Lando Norris, despite leading, faces a worrying historical trend. Since 1981, the driver leading a three-way title fight into the final race has consistently lost the championship. The most recent instance was in 2010 when Fernando Alonso lost to Sebastian Vettel.

The big picture:

This season has been a nail-biter, unlike the dominant run many expected from Verstappen. The McLaren's strong performance, especially in the latter half of the season, has put both Norris and Piastri in championship contention. Palou's comments stir the pot, suggesting that while McLaren has a top-tier car, the Red Bull package might be holding Verstappen back from his usual runaway victories. The Abu Dhabi finale is set to be a historic battle, with both driver skill and historical patterns at play.

What's next:

All eyes are on the Yas Marina Circuit for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where the 2025 Formula 1 Drivers' Champion will be crowned. The race will determine whether Norris can break a long-standing historical jinx or if Verstappen can overcome his current points deficit, or if Piastri can pull off a surprise victory.