IndyCar champion backs Verstappen’s McLaren claim ahead of Abu Dhabi finale

Speaking ahead of the final race of the 2025 Formula 1 season to Mundo Deportivo, the four-time IndyCar champion expressed confidence in Verstappen's ability. While stating his belief that he also could have fought for victories in a McLaren, Palou stressed that only the Red Bull Racing driver could have wrapped up the title months earlier.

“Absolutely, yes, yes. He would have won weeks ago, two months ago. Do I think I would have won? I'm telling you, yes, I could have fought, but I wouldn't have won two months earlier. But Max is the only one who would have,” he said.

The comments from the Chip Ganassi Racing driver come days after Verstappen himself stated he would have won the Drivers’ Championship in a McLaren.

Looking ahead, the 2025 F1 Drivers’ title is currently a three-way tie heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Verstappen, along with McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, are all in contention for the championship. Norris leads the trio by 12 points, with Verstappen four points clear of Piastri.

While Norris remains in prime position to claim the 2025 Drivers’ title at the Yas Marina Circuit, the 26-year-old faces a chilling historical trend that has often haunted championship leaders when at least three drivers remain in contention heading into the final race of the campaign.

Since the 1981 season, the driver leading a three-way title fight going into the decider has gone on to lose the championship. The most recent example came in 2010, when Fernando Alonso missed out on the crown to Red Bull Racing’s Sebastian Vettel.

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