INDYCAR legend Mario Andretti says that he believes that Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou, driver of the No.10 DHL Honda, is one of the greats of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Speaking to Paddock Eye on Friday morning ahead of this weekend’s XPEL Grand Prix of Road America, Andretti said that he is very impressed with what the Spaniard has been able to do this season.
The 1978 Formula One world champion will attend this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed next month as part of Formula One’s 75th anniversary. Andretti says that it is always lovely when the Duke of Richmond invites him to the festival, and he looks forward to spending time with his fellow F1 champions, Mika Hakkinen and Alain Prost, among others, who will attend this year’s event.
We asked Mario about this year’s Formula One season, and he said he is very impressed with what Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have achieved this season. He believes that McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has a difficult decision to make about who to back to win the championship. Still, Mario told us that he thinks it will be one of the McLaren drivers who will win the Drivers’ championship this year, given how successful the team has been so far in 2026.
Andretti also believes that, given their points advantage in the standings, McLaren Racing will successfully defend their Constructors’ Championship, as they currently lead the standings by 175 points over second-placed Mercedes.
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES heads to Road America this weekend for the XPEL Grand Prix, and Mario likes that track and says that there are three or four excellent overtaking spots on the track, which should make for an exhilarating race on Sunday.
Mario’s son, Michael Andretti, is no longer involved in the ownership of Andretti Global, but Mario has been very impressed with Kyle Kirkwood this season. Kirkwood has won three races this season, and Mario feels that we are only scratching the surface with what we have seen from the Floridian.
We asked Mario about his thoughts on seeing smaller teams like AJ Foyt Racing and Juncos Hollinger Racing coming to the front of INDYCAR this season, to which the 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner replied that he was delighted to see how Foyt is performing in 2025. He is excited for Larry Foyt (Team President of AJ Foyt Racing) and AJ’s son.
Andretti has been very impressed with both David Malukas and Santino Ferrucci and is happy for his friend, AJ Foyt. We asked Andretti about his thoughts on the scandal surrounding Team Penske earlier this season, which resulted in the removal of three of their top staff members from their positions. Still, Mario said that the team was caught breaking the rules and left it at that.
Honda Racing Corporation North America currently leads the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Manufacturers’ Championship, but there has been considerable speculation surrounding their future participation in the sport. When asked to discuss Honda, Mario said that he hopes HRC remains in INDYCAR because the competition between them and Chevrolet is fantastic and is suitable for the sport, sponsors, and fans.
The 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season continues this weekend with the XPEL Grand Prix of Road America, round nine of the year, with Alex Palou leading the standings by 73 points from Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward.
(Video courtesy of INDYCAR via YouTube.com)