P1racenews AI automatic summary:
IndyCar champion Alex Palou has delivered a takedown of both McLaren drivers by stating Max Verstappen would have won the F1 title earlier had he been driving for the team.
IndyCar champion Alex Palou has praised Max Verstappen, suggesting that had Verstappen been driving for McLaren in 2025, he would have secured the Formula 1 title much earlier.
McLaren celebrated their first double-title win in 27 years in 2025, with Lando Norris clinching the Drivers’ Championship in Abu Dhabi.
Norris’ victory came alongside McLaren retaining the Constructors’ Championship, locked in at the Singapore Grand Prix.
However, Oscar Piastri’s decline saw him lose his 34-point lead in August, finishing third behind Norris and a resurgent Max Verstappen.
Despite Verstappen’s remarkable performances, he fell just two points short of keeping his championship title, prompting Palou to label him as the best driver currently in F1.
Palou, reflecting on his own potential with McLaren, stated he believes he could have challenged for the title if he had the opportunity to drive the McLaren MCL39 challenger in 2025.
