Alex Palou: Confident, Fast, and Ready for Indy500 After Strong Open Test
Alex Palou continues to show why he’s the man to beat in 2025. Fresh off two wins this season and leading the championship standings by 34 points, Palou delivered a commanding performance at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the Indy 500 Open Test — topping the final session with a strong run and a positive outlook.
„It was good, fun. Lots of laps, lots of learning. The cars are fast. So happy.“ – Alex Palou
Mastering Traffic and the Hybrid Challenge
The hybrid era has added a new twist to racing at Indianapolis, but Palou adapted quickly. Despite facing heavy traffic — which he compared to „a crazy Fast Friday without anybody policing“ — he reported feeling strong, even though passing was tougher than in the past.
Palou explained that while the additional hybrid weight makes the cars harder to handle, it also creates more opportunities because drivers are more prone to making mistakes:
„Even if you have a really good car, it’s very easy to make a mistake, which then creates a gap for the guy behind to get a chance.“ – Alex Palou
That should make the 2025 Indy 500 more unpredictable and exciting for fans watching the action unfold.
Hybrid Boost: New Strategies for Race Day
One of the biggest unknowns entering the Open Test was how the new hybrid boost system would impact qualifying and race strategy. Palou noted that while the boost gives just enough extra power to enable overtaking in certain situations, it’s not a massive advantage — and drivers must recharge it afterward.
„It’s good enough that you can pass when you’re fourth to third or fifth to fourth when the tires are good. Then when you have no tires, it’s pretty tough.“ – Alex Palou
In qualifying, Palou expects a wide range of strategies, depending on conditions like wind and track temperature. Teams are still experimenting to find the best deployment approach.
Setup Progress: Closer Than Ever
Compared to last year, Palou feels more prepared. Despite the hybrid’s extra weight altering car behavior slightly, basic setup changes are reacting as expected — a major boost for confidence heading into May:
„We don’t need to completely change our car. I think we’re more comfortable than we were last year around this time.“ – Alex Palou
Palou mentioned that only a few minor adjustments are needed to maximize speed by trimming downforce, rather than a complete overhaul.
Enjoying Every Lap
Despite the high stakes, Palou emphasized how much fun it was to run laps — especially under the nearly perfect weather conditions that resembled typical May race conditions:
„You always want to go fast, like really, really fast. High boost is pretty awesome.“ – Alex Palou
A Warning Shot for the Competition
Alex Palou leaves the Indy 500 Open Test not only at the top of the timing sheets race-pace-wise but with a clear sense of momentum. Fast, focused, and already dialed in despite the new hybrid dynamics, Palou looks ready to chase his first Indianapolis 500 win — and based on his Open Test performance, few would bet against him.
Philipp Kraus / Media Credit – Penske Entertainment: James Black
