McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown describes claims made by Alex Palou during the court case into the Spaniard’s breach of IndyCar contract as “clearly ludicrous”.
McLaren is seeking nearly $20 million in damages after Palou backed out of a move from Chip Ganassi Racing in late 2023, opting to stay with Ganassi and going on to win three consecutive IndyCar championships from 2023 to 2025. McLaren alleges it lost out on on-track success in IndyCar, as well as taking a hit with sponsorship deals and other drivers’ salaries.
The case is being heard in London’s High Court, and last Friday in a witness statement Palou claimed Brown told him it had been then McLaren F1 team principal Andreas Seidl’s decision to sign Oscar Piastri.
“Zak told me that Oscar’s performance would be evaluated against mine for the 2024 seat,” Palou had added, as he argued he had been misled over his chances of earning a race seat with McLaren in F1, as part of negotiations to sign in IndyCar.
Brown attended multiple days of the hearing and was also questioned by Palou’s lawyer, with the four-time IndyCar champion admitting breach of contract but arguing he owes nothing and that McLaren has mitigated any losses.
“I’m not sure which allegation amused me more – the notion that I would not be the one making a key decision about our driver line-up, or the suggestion that I wasn’t on board with signing the hugely talented Oscar Piastri,” Brown is quoted as saying by Reuters. “Both allegations are clearly ludicrous – and anyone who follows our sport will see straight through them.”
Unconcerned that the claims in court could harm his relationship with Piastri, Brown insists he and the Australian have joked about the situati on prior to this weekend’s United States Grand Prix.
“We have the absolute best driver pairing on the F1 grid in Oscar and Lando [Norris] – I could not be more thrilled with their incredible performance and their sportsmanship,” he said. “I’m excited for the awesome racing we’re going to see for the rest of the season.”
F1’s race in Austin coincides with a break in court proceedings, with the hearing set to resume on October 20 and expected to run into November.
