Spanish Indycar driver Alex Palou caused a major upset in the world of motorsport this weekend. The renowed driver, who competes for Chip Ganassi Racing in the Indycar series, has enjoyed a successful season. However, he has created a unique situation by terminating his contract with McLaren Indycar outfit for next season.
Palou was already at the centre of a peculiar dispute in the IndyCar series last year. Chip Ganassi Racing had announced that Palou would be staying with the team, but Palou contradicted this, causing confusion. McLaren then said that Palou would be their Indycar driver, although there were suggestions that he might move to F1. Eventually, the situation was resolved and Palou continued to race for Ganassi, with plans to join McLaren for the 2024 season.
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Palou confuses again
However, Palou has apparently had a change of heart and decided not to honour the McLaren deal. The news came to light when AP News obtained an internal letter from McLaren CEO Zak Brown. In the letter, Brown expressed his disappointment, stating, “This is extremely disappointing as we have both directly and publicly expressed our commitment to this cause,”
Palou’s management also expressed their dismay at his decision, prompting Monaco Increase Management to terminate their relationship going forward. In a released statement, they expressed their disappointment that Palou has broken an existing contract, while wishing him the best for the future.
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Ganassi critical of McLaren
Chip Ganassi, Palou’s current team principal, has also commented on the matter. In a strongly worded statement, he criticised McLaren:
“Anyone that knows me knows that I don’t make a habit of commenting about contract situations. 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 regarding our driver is inaccurate and wrong; he remains under contract with CGR.”
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Woof.
Chip Ganassi is not holding back on this one.#IndyCar pic.twitter.com/OU6EK5U5th
— Christopher DeHarde (@CDeHarde) August 12, 2023
No more F1 drive for Palou?
The key question now is whether Palou will continue to drive for Chip Ganassi’s team in 2024. The Spanish driver has excelled in the Indycar series this season and is also linked to McLaren as a Formula One reserve. The impact of this case on his reserve role and his planned free practice for the F1 team later this year remains unclear.
In addition, Palou is reportedly in talks with several F1 teams for the 2024 season, including possible interest from the AlphaTauri team.
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Palou, Piastri, nothing new for McLaren. .
You may be wrong about a contract. They really talk around a legal document. Palou may have had an “Understanding” but he can’t SIGN anything until Sept 1. His only out from Ganassi before that was a F1 ride. Don’t go by the remains under contract with CGR. As of this moment he is.
If nothing is signed, there’s no breaking of anything. Exactly what seat in F1 is Palou going to fill? Right now? None. The contract, read, parsed and signed is the only thing that counts. Teams play games all the time with drivers. They shouldn’t be shocked when a driver does so with them.
McLaren in Indycar right now is having a bad go with supposedly stellar drivers. As IndyCar is spec series except for the choice of 2 engines, and McLaren as stellar drivers, Palou could be on the outside looking in going for wins or championships.