P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Alex Palou is 2025 IndyCar champion with two races to spare. Here’s where all his rivals’ bids to stop him went wrong
Alex Palou has dominated the 2025 IndyCar championship this year, leading to suffocation for his competitors. Despite his current overwhelming lead, there were crucial turning points in the season that both helped him extend his lead and cost his rivals dearly. For Pato O’Ward, the biggest setback was his performance at Thermal, where he had the pace to win but fell short due to Palou’s strategic tire management.
A potential victory at Thermal could have disrupted Palou’s early dominance and improved O’Ward’s lackluster start to the season. McLaren’s performance, especially in the second half of the year, has been commendable but still not enough to challenge Palou’s Ganassi team.
O’Ward, despite being McLaren’s top performer, fell short to Palou due to strategic advantages and consistent performances throughout the season. Kyle Kirkwood, once seen as Palou’s closest rival, lost ground after issues at the Indianapolis 500 and subsequent poor finishes that left him far behind in the championship standings.
Overall, Palou’s exceptional performances coupled with his team’s strategic prowess have established a near-insurmountable lead in the championship, leaving his competitors struggling to keep up.
