Alex Palou, the 2025 IndyCar championship leader, will compete with an all-black OpenAI livery at the upcoming Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. Representing Chip Ganassi Racing, this sleek new design has triggered a wide range of reactions among fans worldwide, highlighting the contrasting opinions on its style and impact.
Currently leading the championship with 386 points after nine rounds, Palou’s season includes six Grand Prix wins, two pole positions, and seven finishes in the top five, making the Alex Palou Mid-Ohio IndyCar livery a focal point of discussion as he prepares for the next race.
Mixed Responses from Fans on the All-Black Design
The introduction of the all-black color scheme has not been universally welcomed. Several fans expressed disappointment on social media, with some describing the livery as lacking character. One fan commented on X, “Soul-less and boring, very fitting.” Another questioned the creativity of the design by asking, “Did ChatGPT design this livery?” while a third dismissed its appearance as, “Looks like a test car.”
Despite these critical viewpoints, a number of supporters praised the bold design choices. One fan simply remarked, “Now this is cool,” with others adding positive remarks like, “Ooooo this is sleek,” and “I love it,” showing that the all-black livery has found admirers amid the divided opinions.
In comparison, Team Penske driver Scott McLaughlin will also run a primarily black car during the same race weekend, but with distinct red and white accents on his #3 machine, providing a contrast to Palou’s monochromatic look.
Palou’s Recent Victory at Road America Boosts Championship Standing
Prior to the Mid-Ohio race, Alex Palou delivered a commanding performance at the XPEL Grand Prix in Round 9, held at Road America. Starting second on the grid behind Louis Foster from RLL, Palou maneuvered through a challenging 55-lap race to claim victory, solidifying his leading position in the 2025 IndyCar season.
“It was a crazy race. There were moments I thought we were losing a ton of positions. It was a tough race for everybody. Kudos to the team for the amazing strategy and Honda for giving us the fuel mileage we needed at the end to make it.”
—Alex Palou, IndyCar driver
This win has contributed to Palou’s strong championship campaign, with only eight rounds left and the gap to his closest competitor shrinking. Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Global sits in second place with 293 points, steadily pursuing Palou’s lead.
Championship Outlook and Competitive Landscape
As the season progresses, Alex Palou remains the favorite to secure his fourth IndyCar title, thanks to his consistent wins and point accumulation. So far, only Palou and Kirkwood have recorded victories this year, with six and three wins respectively.
However, the championship race remains open, as any dip in Palou’s performance could allow Kirkwood or other contenders to close the point gap in the remaining races. The Mid-Ohio event and subsequent Grand Prix rounds will be critical for both drivers in their pursuit of the championship.