The AUTOhebdo Top 50 drivers 2025 – 5th: Álex Palou

Before Christmas, our editorial team is revealing its top 50 drivers of the year each day. Having already revealed the spots between 50th and 6th, here's the 5th on our list.

Published 21/12/2025 à 17:03

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AUTOhebdo's Top 50 Drivers of 2025 – 5th: Álex Palou

Notation method: The journalists at AUTOhebdo each submitted their top 50 from a pre-defined list of 80 names. The driver in first place received 50 points, down to the fiftieth, who received one point. The average of the votes produced a ranking based on the driver's (or crew's) performance in their category during the year 2025.

Until now, the editorial team revealed the drivers in its 2025 selection five at a time. From position 50 to 6, the faces chosen by AUTOhebdo are now known. It's time for the top 5, with one nominee revealed each day until Christmas.

ALSO READ > AUTOhebdo's Top 50 Drivers of 2025 – 10th to 6th: from Isack Hadjar to Oscar Piastri

Álex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing) lifts the 2025 IndyCar champion trophy.

Winner of the Indy 500
IndyCar Champion

Chip Ganassi Racing driver Álex Palou had a truly exceptional season. Finishing with 711 points, the Spaniard finished well ahead of Pato O'Ward, by nearly 200 points. Statistically speaking, Álex Palou's season is staggering. With eight wins in 17 races, including three consecutive victories at the start of the season, he secured a fourth championship that was historic in many respects.

In addition to acquiring this fourth championship title in just five years – only the 2022 crown is missing from his near-perfect record – Palou has thus become the equal of Mario Andretti, Sébastien Bourdais and Dario Franchitti in the IndyCar record books. Even more impressively, he becomes the first driver since Dario Franchitti in 2010 to win both the Indy 500 and the championship in the same year. While the Spaniard had primarily triumphed on street circuits, 2025 marked his first oval victory, at the Indianapolis 500.

ALSO READ > With four titles, Alex Palou is in the league of the (very) greats

Having become a true IndyCar legend, Álex Palou could dream of becoming the new champion of the category, as he constantly affirms that the Formula 1 is no longer a goal in his career. Methodical and efficient, the ruthless Álex Palou leaves no doubt about his natural talent, and could set himself the symbolic goal of six championship titles before he turns 30, like Scott Dixon before him…