INDIANAPOLIS, IN – AUGUST 12: IndyCar driver Alex Palou talks to the media after finishing the … [+] Gallagher Grand Prix on August 12, 2023, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Last year, it was Chip Ganassi Racing that too legal action against Alex Palou to force him to honor his contract. This year, it’s McLaren and the Arrow McLaren IndyCar team that are filing a lawsuit against the NTT IndyCar Series star.
McLaren and Arrow McLaren have filed joint lawsuits against Alex Palou and Chip Ganassi Racing in UK Commercial Court.
I was able to get a comment from McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown later on August 18.
“We made a significant investment in Alex Palou, looking forward to racing with him in 2024,” Brown said. “We’re placing our trust in the legal system to resolve this matter and will keep our comments at that. As a team, we’re turning our focus to the final races this season and on our plans for 2024, which we’ll announce once we’re ready.”
The Indianapolis Star first reported the lawsuit late Friday afternoon, August 18.
According to the report, both lawsuits were filed at Part 7 Claims, which means they have begun the process of claiming month from the defendants. Court Records indicate McLaren Racing Limited and McLaren Indy, LLC have hired Morgan Lewis & Bockius (UK) to represent them.
The report indicates the case against Palou was filed last Wednesday.
It was one week ago Friday that McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown sent a letter to his team informing them that Palou would not be joining the team in 2024.
SPA, BELGIUM – JULY 30: McLaren Chief Executive Officer Zak Brown walks in the Paddock prior to the … [+] F1 Grand Prix of Belgium at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on July 30, 2023 in Spa, Belgium. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
“I’m extremely disappointed that Alex Palou does not intend to honor his contractual obligation to race with us in IndyCar in 2024 and beyond,” Brown said late Friday. “That’s all I have to say on the topic for the time being.”
He is currently under contract with Chip Ganassi Racing, and has a 101-point lead over teammate Scott Dixon entering next weekend’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway.
With just three races to go, Palou will likely clinch the championship before the final race of the season at WeatherTech Raceway in Laguna Seca in Monterey, California.
According to the letter that was sent to the Arrow McLaren team and was obtained by the Associated Press, Brown said the 26-year-old driver from Spain had signed a separate contract with McLaren Racing to compete for the team’s IndyCar program in 2024. That was outside of his agreement to serve as the McLaren Formula One reserve driver.
Gavin Ward is the Racing Director at Arrow McLaren and said earlier this week the team is disappointed in Palou’s decision but will put the best driver it can find into that open seat in 2024.
“I wouldn’t rule out anything on that side,” Ward said. “We are going to do what is best for the team to fill that race seat. The list is decent, and Felix Rosenqvist is on it.
“It’s a very much in-demand seat. There is a lot in play.
“The message I have here is we are trying to build something special, and I think anybody can see the progress we are making. We are working to make another big step, still.
“Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?”
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – AUGUST 12: IndyCar driver Alex Palou gets out of his car in pit lane after the … [+] Gallagher Grand Prix on August 12, 2023, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Representatives for Arrow McLaren Racing and McLaren were asked for comment on the most recently legal action but did not reply. Palou’s agent, Roger Yasukawa, declined comment to the Indianapolis Star, but said his driver “is solely focused on winning the championship and finishing the season on a super high note, and once that’s done, we hope to provide more information once everything is clear.”
At the time Palou announced in July 2022 that he was joining McLaren in 2023, he was represented by Monaco Increase Management. That company released a statement last Saturday criticizing the driver on his decision.
“(MIM) is bitterly disappointed to learn about Alex Palou’s decision to break an existing agreement with McLaren for 2024 and beyond,” the company said in a statement. “Together, we had built a relationship that we thought went beyond any contractual obligation and culminated in winning the 2021 IndyCar crown and tracing a path to F1 opportunities.
“Life goes on, and we wish Alex all the best for his future achievements.”
Yasukawa, the former IndyCar driver who had previously been managing Palou’s career and helped the Spaniard make his IndyCar debut with Dale Coyne Racing in 2020, has reassumed his duties as Palou’s manager.
Chip Ganassi issued a statement on August 12 indicating that McLaren had been dubious in its pursuit of his driver.
IndyCar team owner Chip Ganassi (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“Anyone that knows me knows that I don’t make a habit of commenting about contract situations,” Ganassi said. “Subsequently, I have been quiet since day one of this story but now I feel I must respond. I grew up respecting the McLaren Team and their success. The new management does not get my same respect.
“Alex Palou has been a part of our team and under contract since the 2021 season. It is the interference of that contract from McLaren that began this process and ironically, they are now playing the victim.
“Simply stated, the position of McLaren IndyCar management regarding our driver is inaccurate and wrong; he remains under contract with CGR.”
