We are predicting the Winner of the 109th Indianapolis 500

The AllAboutIndyRacing team have had their say on who they think will take victory at the 109th Indy 500 and why we are tipping each of these drivers for the win on Sunday…

Philipp Kraus – Takuma Sato

When Sato was announced to be back with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing for this years Indy500, it wasn’t such a huge deal. He was part of the team last year, but not really in contention for anything. May have been because of RLL not getting their cars up to speed at the 500. But from first practice on this year, the Japanese driver was fast. Rapid fast. But then… he crashed.

Normally, when you have such a huge crash and have to take a spare car, you’re masively slower and without any chance of achieving anything. But RLL Racing has rebuilt the car from scratch and while the practice sessions in May went on, Sato slowly went back to his fast form he had at the beginning of testing in April. The result: P2 in Qualifying, giving him a perfect starting spot on his hunt for victory.

He knows, how to win here, he has done it twice already (2017 & 2020). There is something with Sato and Indianapolis. He comes alive and just delivers. At least this year it feels that way. He looks like he’s on a mission.

What may could hurt him is the fact, that he hasn’t raced for a year while all the other drivers around him are well within the season. All the others have now plenty of experience with the hybrid as well. But that is something, which Sato will be able to compensate with his speed on Sunday, leading him to his thrid Indy500 victory this year!

Sol Ahmed – Patricio O’Ward

With two runners-up spots and four top-six finishes in the last five years (all from the third row at best) ‘Pato’ will be brimming with confidence starting in third place this year while his usual big rivals are on the back foot.

Looking at who starts around him, Shwartzman and Prema have never run on an oval before yet alone the 500, Sato hasn’t raced in a year, Rosenqvist was more or less destoryed by O’Ward when they were teammates and Ganassi looked vulnerable for once by not get things together in the Fast Six.

After an uneventful and solid run through practice and qualifying I expect O’Ward to assert control at the front of the field at some point and try to keep it clean from there.

Owen White – Scott Dixon

You don’t have to look far to find Scott Dixon, starting on row 2. Despite having a top 5 car every year, something always seems to go wrong for the 6-time champion.

This year seems as good as any to make it happen, especially seeing as his Penske competition is being sent to the back of the grid. I’m sure teammate Alex Palou will be right with him, but Palou’s absence of a career oval win makes me unable to go with 2025’s usual winner.

I believe Dixon will finally break through again and break a 17 year winless drought in the Indy 500.

Mathurin Viguier – Patricio O’Ward

I see Pato O’Ward winning cause this track has no secret for him, he’s quick around here, clever in his moves, as shown by his race in 2024.

And after last year’s heartbreak where he finished P2 at the very end I expect him to be even more motivated this and go „the knife between the teeth“ as we say in French.

Andrew English – David Malukas

The 23-year-old never got his chance to shine at last year’s 500 due to his wrist injury however, he is ready for redemption after taking a year off and it shows.

He’s had decent times in practice and narrowly made it to the Firestone Fast Six after settling for a 7th place starting spot. Look for him to get his redemption and potentially put himself as well as AJ Foyt Racing in victory lane come Sunday!

David Roberdeaux – Patricio O’Ward

With two runner-up finishes and four top-six results in the last five years — all from deeper in the field — Pato finally has the track position to match his pace, starting P3 in what looks like one of Arrow McLaren’s best Indy 500 entries yet.

The competition around him? Shwartzman and Prema are quick but unproven — it’s his first-ever oval race, and it just happens to be the 500. Sato hasn’t raced in a year and is only running this one-off. Rosenqvist starts ahead, but Pato consistently had the edge when they were teammates. And for once, Ganassi looks a little off-balance after missing the mark in the Fast Six.

With a smooth month behind him and a car that’s clearly in the window, this could be the year Pato takes control up front — and never looks back.

Drew Allison – Alex Palou

Palou has dominated the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES, claiming four wins in the first five races and leading the championship standings. His recent victory at the Sonsio Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Road Course further underscores his adaptability and momentum heading into the most prestigious race on the calendar.

Palou’s strength lies in his consistency, strategic thinking, and growing experience on ovals. Despite not yet winning on an oval, he has delivered strong performances at the Indy 500 in recent years, including second place in 2021 and in 2023 when he won the pole and was the favourite to win the race until an incident in pit lane involving another driver. Even with the pitlane incident sending him to the rear of the field he was still able to manage a fourth-place finish.

His meticulous preparation, including simulator work and detailed race planning with the support of a top-tier team and strategist Barry Wanser, means Palou brings a perfect blend of speed, composure, and tactical intelligence to the table. He’s calm under pressure and his ability to execute late-race strategies make him a serious threat. A victory at Indy would not only be a career milestone but also bring him closer to a fourth INDYCAR title in five years—cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s greats.

Will the winner be someone we’ve mentioned? Many drivers are out there capable of winning this race. I wouldn’t even count out someone like Josef Newgarden, who went fastest in the last practice session on Carb Day, but starting in 32nd place. The Bickyard has its own rules and we’re on for a spectacular race on Sunday!

written by AllAboutIndyRacing Team / Media Cresit: Penske Entertainment