IndyCar Champion Alex Palou has stated that Max Verstappen would have claimed the 2025 Formula 1 world title with McLaren, highlighting the remarkable skill Verstappen would have shown in that car. Palou said Verstappen could have secured the championship with several rounds to spare, centering Max Verstappen McLaren F1 2025 as the season‘s major what-if scenario.
“two months before the end of the season”
— Alex Palou, IndyCar Champion
Verstappen Narrowly Misses Fifth Title Amid Red Bull Struggles
During the 2025 Formula 1 season, Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion, faced difficulties with Red Bull, whose car failed to compete at the highest level, leaving Verstappen with a tough task in defending his championship. Although his chances for a fifth consecutive title seemed slim by mid-year, Verstappen staged a late comeback, pushing McLaren and Lando Norris to the final race. Despite his efforts, he ultimately lost the championship by only two points, with Norris taking the crown at the last event of the season.
Support for Verstappen’s McLaren Potential From Palou
Verstappen has previously expressed that winning the championship “would have been easy” if he had driven for McLaren, a sentiment echoed by Alex Palou. The Spanish driver strongly agreed, giving his view:
“If Max Verstappen had driven the McLaren in 2025, he would have become world champion two months before the end of the season,”
— Alex Palou, speaking to Mundo Deportivo
“I am absolutely convinced of that. Max is the only one in the field, I believe, who is capable of something like that.”
— Alex Palou, IndyCar Champion
Palou’s insights come with some personal experience at McLaren. He participated in a Formula 1 practice session with the team in Texas in 2022. However, his connection with McLaren was complicated by a contract clash in IndyCar, which escalated to the High Court in 2023. When asked if Palou himself could have challenged for the 2025 title in McLaren’s car, he expressed belief in his own abilities, yet acknowledged the challenge of comparing his experience:
“I only drove in one Formula 1 weekend, which was in Texas in 2022, so it’s hard to say how I would have fared in the 2025 McLaren.”
— Alex Palou, IndyCar Champion
Palou’s Own Racing Achievements and Choices
Although Palou had been slated to join McLaren’s IndyCar team for 2024, he decided to remain with Chip Ganassi Racing after the contract dispute. This choice contributed to his growing list of achievements, including three consecutive IndyCar titles between 2023 and 2025 with CGR and a prior championship in 2021. Additionally, Palou triumphed at the Indianapolis 500 during the most recent season, reinforcing his reputation as one of the top racers in the field.
The Ongoing Debate: What if Verstappen Drove for McLaren?
The comments from Alex Palou feed into the ongoing debate regarding the influence of car performance and driver skill in Formula 1’s top battles. The scenario of Max Verstappen driving for McLaren in 2025 continues to intrigue fans and experts, with Palou’s firmly-expressed views giving further weight to the idea that Verstappen’s talent could have brought early and decisive success to the Woking-based team. As speculation persists, McLaren, Red Bull, and both Norris and Verstappen remain pivotal names in the shifting landscape of Formula 1 championships.
