McLaren Racing’s CEO Zak Brown recently shared strong comments regarding the ongoing high-profile legal dispute with IndyCar driver Alex Palou, stating that the UK High Court proceedings will “go the distance.” This legal battle with the young IndyCar driver will continue until next year, according to the businessman.
In August of 2023, Palou made a controversial decision to stay with Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) despite having an agreement with McLaren for the 2024 season. The disconnect began in 2022 when Palou left Ganassi under contentious circumstances, leaning towards McLaren, which stirred legal action from CGR—eventually settled by mediation. Notably, Palou was granted opportunities to test McLaren’s Formula 1 machinery, allowing him to take part in free practice sessions.
Brown, addressing the situation, suggested that McLaren has acquired an “unfair branding” around its involvement with such legal and contractual disputes.
“It’s been disappointing and I understand it, it’s part of being high-profile as a team,” Brown told Autosport. “I think we’ve got an unfair branding around this driver situation, and then you have some of the drivers that chime in. I know everyone likes to take a poke; I certainly like to take a poke. So, if you’re going to poke, you’ve got to be able to take it back.”
He further defended the Papaya team:
“Even in Formula 1, with Carlos Sainz, we had an unbelievable relationship. Fernando Alonso, a great relationship, and with Daniel Ricciardo too. Our relationship with Lando, he’s been with us for six years.”
The repercussions of Palou’s decision not to join McLaren influenced placements and opportunities for multiple drivers, including Felix Rosenqvist, David Malukas, Nolan Siegel, Callum Ilott, Theo Pourchaire, and Alex Rossi. Brown commented on the resultant changes:
“But we brought Pato [O’Ward] into this sport, I’ve stuck with him. Alex Palou, we had a contract, we did our part. That created this domino effect.
“Alex [Rossi] saw through his contract. We’re giving Nolan a chance, a young American. We brought back Theo for [Toronto, to replace the injured Rossi]. And so, unfortunately, this Palou situation has kind of unfairly branded us as being difficult and ‘we’re tough on drivers’ when, actually, I think our relationship with our drivers is one of our greatest strengths.”
As for the future of the legal proceedings, Brown didn’t mince his words about the anticipated timeline and the firm stance McLaren is prepared to maintain.
“It’s in legal process and it’s going to go the distance, 100%, and I think it’ll end up probably be sometime late next year,” he confirmed.
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