Alex Palou, the Chip Ganassi Racing driver, has shared insights into his IndyCar winning formula and success following his recent triumph at the 2025 Indianapolis 500. The 28-year-old Spaniard, who made history as the first from his country to win the prestigious race on May 25, revealed the key factors behind his consistent performance during a series of events in New York.
On June 4, Nasdaq released an Instagram reel featuring Palou answering questions about his career and winning approach. When asked about the secret to his victories, Palou credited his strong support system and relentless work ethic:
“Great team, Great team around me, my engineers, my mechanics. And then just working as hard as I can, and as hard as I know. It’s been working so far.”
— Alex Palou, IndyCar Driver
Palou’s victory at the 109th Indianapolis 500 was remarkable, as he overtook Marcus Ericsson of Andretti Global with only 14 laps remaining to secure his maiden win at the event. This achievement marked a historic moment for Spain in IndyCar racing.
The 2025 season has seen Palou demonstrate remarkable form, beginning with a win at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 2, where he started eighth on the grid. He followed this with a strong performance at the ACURA Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 13, qualifying third and finishing just behind the winner in second place.
Despite a setback at the Detroit Grand Prix on June 1—where a collision caused by David Malukas forced Palou into retirement after he qualified fifth—he remains the dominant force in the championship standings. Palou currently leads the drivers‘ championship with a substantial 90-point advantage over his closest rival, Pato O’Ward.
Reflecting on a Milestone: Palou’s Journey to 1000 IndyCar Laps Led
At the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix on May 4, Alex Palou reached an important milestone by leading 1000 IndyCar laps within just 85 race starts—surpassing the pace of his teammate Scott Dixon, who reached the same feat in 99 starts. During the race, Palou led 81 of the 90 laps and finished with a commanding 16-second lead over runner-up Christian Lundgaard.
In the post-race press conference, Palou was asked if he had ever imagined achieving such success at a young age. He replied candidly:
“No, absolutely not. My goal was to be an IndyCar driver. Then (it) was just to be an IndyCar race winner or a person that could fight for wins and sometimes for championships.”
— Alex Palou, IndyCar Driver
“Yeah, I don’t think that I’m in a normal position. I’m aware that I’m very lucky to be in the position I am today, to be surrounded by a great team, being able to fight for wins every single weekend. Yeah, I don’t know how long is that going to continue, but hopefully it’s going to be for a long time.”
— Alex Palou, IndyCar Driver
The Driving Force Behind Palou’s 2025 IndyCar Success
Alex Palou’s success this season can largely be attributed to the cohesive team supporting him, including his engineers and mechanics, as well as his unwavering commitment to hard work. These elements form the core of what he describes as his IndyCar winning formula.
His rapid adaptation to the competitive IndyCar environment, supported by strategic racecraft and resilience, have kept him consistently at the front. Even setbacks like the collision in Detroit have not hindered his momentum, as he maintains a comfortable lead in the championship.
Palou’s achievements not only elevate his status as a top driver but also uplift the profile of Chip Ganassi Racing in this fiercely contested 2025 season. Observers and fans alike will be closely watching if the Spaniard can sustain this level of performance and potentially add more victories before the season concludes.
