‘Alien’ Max Verstappen told this driver is better than him

Max Verstappen has a great chance to become a three-time Formula 1 world champion at the upcoming Qatar GP.

IndyCar driver Agustin Canapino believes two-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou is “the best driver in the world”, not two-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen.

Palou recently won his second IndyCar title in three seasons after a dominant performance in 2023, much in the same way Verstappen has been far superior to his competition in F1.

There is no doubt that both drivers are excellent at what they do, but why does Canapino consider Palou a better driver than Verstappen.

Canapino’s interesting opinion on who is the best driver in the world stems from the differences between IndyCar and F1 or, more accurately, the fact that F1 does not race on ovals. Because IndyCar races on ovals as well as traditional road courses and tracks, Canapino believes the reigning IndyCar champion is more “complete” than Verstappen, who he admits is also an excellent driver.

In Canapino’s eyes, Palou is “extraterrestrial” because he “sets a difference” anywhere, regardless of the style of the track.

“In my opinion, Palou is special because for me he is the best rider in the world. If he wasn’t the best, he would be in the top three,” Canapino told Fox Sports Argentina.

“In my opinion, Palou is more complete than Verstappen. What Palou did in IndyCar to me was really like being an alien. But this is a very subjective opinion.

“Verstappen is also another alien. Don’t let the Verstappen supporters criticize me because I also have Verstappen in limbo but for me racing on ovals sets the IndyCar drivers apart because ovals are the absolute extreme and F1 doesn’t have that.

“That’s why, for me, a rider like Palou, who makes a difference on every type of track, in every type of discipline, makes him extraterrestrial.”

Despite being considered the best in the world by Canapino, there is currently no F1 team interested in signing a Spanish driver. Palou was due to join McLaren Racing next season, but later ended that deal to stay with Chip Ganassi, leading to legal action from the Woking-based team.

He has previously tested older F1 cars for McLaren, and he has also previously been linked with AlphaTauri and Williams.

Despite all the rumors and reports, reaching what is known as “the pinnacle of motorsport” has not yet happened for Palou.