Alex Palou secured the IndyCar pole position at the Laguna Seca circuit on Saturday, narrowly surpassing Pato O’Ward in a tense qualifying battle that highlighted their 2025 season rivalry. The qualifying session saw Palou deliver a near-flawless final lap, denying O’Ward a landmark pole despite the Arrow McLaren driver’s improved performance at the Grand Prix of Monterey.
Palou’s Dominance on a Challenging Track Puts Him on Pole
At the iconic Laguna Seca race weekend, Alex Palou demonstrated exceptional speed and control, earning the top starting spot by almost three-tenths of a second over Pato O’Ward. This achievement continues Palou’s excellent record at the venue, where he has finished on the podium in all four previous starts, including two wins. Throughout the qualifying sessions, Palou’s CGR team provided a strong car, which he praised following his pole-winning performance.
“It felt amazing. The car has been amazing in all the sessions. I felt we had a ton of pace, like all year honestly. All the people at CGR are doing a tremendous job, making me look good on track. Great to be on pole and cannot wait for tomorrow.” —Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing driver
Palou’s consistent pace and the car’s balance were key factors in his pole lap, and his poise at Laguna Seca reflects his growing momentum in the championship fight.
Pato O’Ward Confronts Qualifying Struggles to Reach the Fast 6
Despite a difficult qualifying season marked by tire management challenges, Pato O’Ward was able to advance smoothly into the Fast 6 at Laguna Seca and secured a front-row start. O’Ward has struggled with alternate tire performance during qualifying since the start of 2025, which has restricted his grid positions despite his strong race-day results, such as his recent win in Toronto where he began from P10.
Before the weekend, O’Ward described qualifying as his biggest obstacle this season and emphasized the importance of track position at Laguna Seca, which often influences race outcomes.
“Saturday has really been our enemy this year. It’s my worst qualifying year ever. But it’s been my best year so far when the points are awarded, i.e., Sunday. I’d love to make my life a little bit easier in terms of Saturday this weekend because this track is very track position sensitive. Considering where we’ve been qualifying, it just makes life a lot harder than it has to be.” —Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren driver
O’Ward’s effort to overcome these difficulties culminated in his best starting position of the season at Laguna Seca, a sign of progress even if he fell just short of pole.
Front-Row Start Offers O’Ward Hope as Championship Battle Heats Up
Heading into the race, O’Ward remains mathematically in contention for the championship and used a strong first practice session—where he topped timing sheets—to build confidence. Although second practice was cancelled, the qualifying duel between O’Ward and Palou underscored their rivalry, with the CGR driver ultimately edging the Mexican in the last moments of the session.
This front-row start marks O’Ward’s strongest qualifying effort at Laguna Seca to date. Reflecting on his performance, he expressed satisfaction despite the intense competition.
“My best starting position, we’ll take that. Alex pulled out a monster lap there. Happy that we had a smooth qualifying. I’ve been a bit of a stranger in the Fast 6 this year, so good to be back in here.” —Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren driver
With Palou on pole and O’Ward alongside in P2, the Grand Prix of Monterey promises an electrifying front row, highlighting the ongoing championship rivalry where just 99 points separate them.
Implications for the Race and Championship Outlook
The battle for pole at Laguna Seca is a key indicator of the season‘s intensity, with both Palou and O’Ward showing their determination and pace on a circuit known for rewarding qualifying superiority. Palou’s command over the track and qualifying speed puts him in an excellent position to extend his championship lead, while O’Ward’s resilience in overcoming qualifying difficulties suggests he will remain a fierce competitor on race day.
The Grand Prix of Monterey’s race will test their consistency and strategy, with the front row start providing both drivers an opportunity to maximize their points haul as the season progresses. Fans can expect a tightly contested event that could significantly influence the championship standings moving forward.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did McLaren sue Alex Palou over $47.5 million contract dispute?
A. McLaren has ended a 26-year gap without a title. After the Daytona 24-hour race, three-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou must travel to London. He needs to attend a mediation with McLaren. The race team is suing him for over $47.5 million because of a contract disagreement.
