Alex Palou remains the clear favorite in INDYCAR after securing three consecutive titles, but experts believe his reign could be challenged in the 2026 season. During the premiere of SPEED With Harvick And Buxton, veteran Formula 1 broadcaster Will Buxton highlighted several drivers who might threaten Palou’s quest for a fourth straight championship, naming Christian Lundgaard as a prominent contender.
Christian Lundgaard’s Rising Threat with McLaren
Buxton expressed enthusiasm about Lundgaard’s prospects for 2026, noting his progress in his debut year with McLaren.
“I’m really excited to see what Lundgaard can do this year,”
Buxton commented. He emphasized McLaren’s ability to improve steadily over time, paralleling their success in Formula 1, where the team earned back-to-back championships and an individual title with Lando Norris in 2025. Lundgaard’s best INDYCAR season came in 2025, finishing fifth overall and placing seventh at the Indianapolis 500, which positions him as a serious rival for Palou.
“McLaren, I look at them to do in INDYCAR what they did in Formula 1, which is to have those incremental gains and year-over-year improvements to the point where they can go out and win the championship, as they proved they could last year with Lando Norris and having won back-to-back team titles in Formula 1 as well.”
– Will Buxton, Formula 1 Broadcaster
Veteran and Emerging Drivers Offering Strong Competition
Aside from Lundgaard, Buxton mentioned other notable drivers who could affect the title race against Palou in 2026. Will Power, now with Andretti after leaving Penske, is seen as a dangerous competitor, especially as he seeks to redeem himself after a challenging 2025 season. Power was the driver who prevented Palou from winning a fifth consecutive title by taking the championship in 2022, but his ninth-place finish last year marks a dip in form.
Scott McLaughlin, who finished 10th in 2025, is another contender Buxton expects to make a significant impact. McLaughlin has a strong track record in earlier seasons, with consecutive third-place finishes in 2023 and 2024, showing he can compete at the highest level.
“I think Will Power on a revenge tour with Andretti is going to be great,”
Buxton said.
Scott McLaughlin is fired up at Penske. He’s really taken on that team leadership role.
– Will Buxton, Formula 1 Broadcaster
David Malukas: A Promising, Yet Unproven Candidate
When SPEED co-host and former NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick suggested David Malukas as a potential dark horse, Buxton offered a more cautious view. Malukas, competing for Penske, has yet to secure an INDYCAR race win, making the leap to championship favorite a daunting task.
Despite finishing 11th in 2025, Malukas showed promise with a strong second-place finish at the previous year’s Indy 500. However, Buxton noted the challenge of carrying the expectations that come with racing for a top team like Penske in only his fourth INDYCAR season.
“I love Malukas as well, but let’s not forget, he’s never even won an INDYCAR race,”
Buxton said.
So, putting the weight of, ‘Is he going to win the title?’ in his first season at Penske — that’s the expectation, obviously, when you’re racing for Penske. But that’s a massive challenge.”
– Will Buxton, Formula 1 Broadcaster
The Challenge Ahead for Those Chasing Palou
While several drivers aim to unseat him, Buxton acknowledged the difficulty of overcoming Palou’s growing dominance. The reigning champ’s skill and consistency have raised the bar, requiring challengers to elevate their performances significantly in 2026.
“I remember last year talking to the drivers before the season started, and they were all … like, ‘Yeah, he’s beatable.’ Then, you ask that same question this year, and they’re a lot more measured in their responses because they see the level he’s at,”
Buxton reflected.
“They know that the target on his back isn’t static, it will have increased over the winter. He will have moved himself to another level. If you were aiming for where Palou was last year, you’re going to miss. You’ve got to aim higher. He’s just phenomenal. It’s his feel. It’s his intelligence, his race brain. Everything about him [is] at such a high level.”
– Will Buxton, Formula 1 Broadcaster
Looking Forward to What 2026 Holds for INDYCAR
As the 2026 INDYCAR season approaches, all eyes are on whether Palou will continue his championship streak or if one of these challengers can rise to the occasion. With proven talents like Lundgaard, Power, and McLaughlin, as well as the promising potential of Malukas, the competition promises to be fierce. The evolving dynamics within top teams such as McLaren, Andretti, and Penske add further intrigue to the upcoming battles on the track.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see who can disrupt the reign of the current Alex Palou INDYCAR contender and claim the coveted title in the coming year.
