The 2025 IndyCar season has kicked off with an electric start, and one name is dominating the discourse: Alex Palou. The Spaniard, with an unblemished winning streak this season, is proving to be a formidable force. His commanding presence over the circuit is leaving competitors scrambling for counter-strategies, as he sweeps the championship for the third time in the past four years.
Christian Lundgaard, a promising talent of the IndyCar series, found himself grappling with Palou’s dominance on the tracks last weekend. Despite his #7 Arrow McLaren Chevy consistently posting impressive timings, Lundgaard conceded a lower podium finish. The menacing performance by Palou was, unfortunately, a déjà vu for many on the track.
Reflecting on the weekend’s performance, Lundgaard acknowledged the improved competitiveness across the three Arrow McLaren cars. “We left the race with two podium finishes, and a first and second in qualifying. It’s an outcome we can be proud of,” he said.
However, the fight against Palou proved to be an uphill battle for Lundgaard. “I was aware that I was losing the battle,” he confessed, attributing Palou’s advantage to his use of a sticker set of alternates towards the end of the race. Lundgaard himself was on a sticker set of primes, putting him on the back foot.
His strategy was to slow down Pato O’Ward, who was five seconds ahead, in an attempt to level the field. But even this tactic took a hit when it seemed to have no effect on Palou. Lundgaard’s admittance of the team’s shortfall was palpable: “Seeing this guy beat us at every event is tough. We’ve got to devise a strategy to stop him.”
Lundgaard’s dogged determination to compete against Palou was evident in his relentless pursuit during the latter stages of the race. He managed to keep his car parallel to Palou’s for an extended period, proving his mettle in the face of adversity.
Despite his valiant efforts, Lundgaard now finds himself in fourth place in the standings after two rounds, trailing the reigning champion by 42 points.
As the 2025 IndyCar season gathers momentum, the onus is on competitors like Lundgaard to disrupt Palou’s winning streak. As they say in racing, it’s not over until the checkered flag waves.
