Palou’s performance in the 17 races of the season was truly remarkable. The Spanish driver secured five victories, achieved 10 podium finishes, and consistently landed in the top five and top 10, with his lowest result being eighth.
This outstanding performance led him to claim his second championship in three years. Adding to his achievements were two poles and four fastest laps. Palou also led laps in 11 rounds, accumulating a total of 377 laps throughout the year, placing him second only to Josef Newgarden’s mark of 607.
Closing the season with a 3.7 average finish, Palou’s consistency stands out as one of the best since Tony Kanaan in 2004 and Dan Wheldon in 2005.
Palou sealed the championship in the penultimate round at Portland International Raceway, making him the first driver to clinch the title before the season finale since Sebastien Bourdais in 2007.
Scott Dixon, who secured four podiums and 11 top 10 finishes to claim seventh place in the previous year’s title race, expressed deep respect for Palou’s accomplishments. He emphasized the unparalleled nature of Palou’s achievement with five wins and a flawless record within the top eight.
In comparison, Dixon noted that when he won the 2014 IndyCar Series championship, he had three results outside the top 10, with seven beyond the top eight. In contrast, Palou’s 2022 title-winning campaign featured only four finishes outside the top 10, all of which were still within the top eight.
Dixon acknowledged that Palou’s exceptional performance changed the approach to competing for the championship. He highlighted the need for not only avoiding mistakes but also consistently winning races. According to Dixon, Palou’s achievements set a new standard in the series, which is already known for its high level of competition.
