Mario Andretti praises Álex Palou, a talent "like we see once every ten or fifteen years"

F1 world champion in 1978 and four-time IndyCar champion, Mario Andretti admitted to being impressed by Álex Palou, who joined him this year in the record books of the American single-seater competition.

Published 16/12/2025 à 19:00

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Mario Andretti praises Álex Palou, a talent "like the ones we see every ten or fifteen years"

A loyal viewer of theIndyCarHaving been a leading figure in the sport since the 60s, Mario Andretti has seen many drivers emerge in the United States. There is no doubt that for the 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner, the Spaniard Álex Palou is at the peak of his powers, possessing a talent rarely seen in a discipline where differences are sometimes made by thousandths of a second, in technically identical single-seaters.

"I can say it, he's truly an exceptional talent. The kind you only see every ten or fifteen years."Andretti explained in an interview with the Spanish daily Marca. "I was impressed by how quickly he adapted, especially on ovals. For someone coming from Europe, it's often difficult to adjust because ovals are really something unfamiliar."

In only his second Indianapolis 500 appearance, Álex Palou was indeed in contention for the win, ultimately losing to Helio Castroneves In 2021, the Brazilian became the fourth man to win the world's greatest open-wheel race for the fourth time. It didn't take long for Palou to join the very exclusive club of Indianapolis winners, as he triumphed there this year, en route to his fourth IndyCar championship title, his third consecutive one.

For Mario Andretti, the level of form shown by Palou could allow him to aspire to the top of the record books, and why not approach the seven titles of AJ Foyt or the six crowns of Scott Dixon, who teams up with the Spanish rider at Ganassi.

"He still has a young career in IndyCar; he was at the top almost immediately upon his arrival.", adds Andretti regarding Palou, champion in his second season, in 2021. “What impresses me most is his mindset; he’s always relaxed, he always seems to enjoy what he’s doing, and that makes me think about his longevity in the sport. I think he’ll be racing for many more years… which isn’t good news for his rivals!”

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