Zak Brown testified that he “never strung along Alex [Palou]” for a F1 seat in McLaren’s Lawsuit against Chip Ganassi Racing Driver.
McLaren CEO, Zak Brown, stood under oath for the organization’s lawsuit against four-time IndyCar Champion Alex Palou. The McLaren Organization is seeking $21 Million in a London High Court for Palou’s accused breach of contract. McLaren alleges Palou resigned with CGR for the 2022 IndyCar season after committing to race in Papaya.
Palou’s Lawyer stated that Brown had a pattern of “false promises of F1 glory” and then “shafting them” as he questioned the American.
Brown testified,“I never strung along Alex. I never told him he would be under consideration for 2023 … there was some optionality to join F1.”
Loss of sponsorship
Telecommunications company, NTT, started sponsorship conversations with McLaren after Palou partnered with McLaren. The deal with NTT and McLaren had to be reworked after Palou left the table.
Brown explained, “NTT entered into negotiations in the first place because they knew Alex was coming to McLaren, and the amount they were willing to pay was based on Alex driving for us.”
With Palou backing way from McLaren, the team is seeking $7.2 million lost from the NTT deal and more than $6.8 million from other lost sponsorship.
“Had there been a less experienced driver, or a driver that was not as good, the price we agreed with NTT would not have been as high as it eventually was, or they may have decided not to partner with us at all.”
“We should have been focusing on track performance and finding new sponsors, but you cannot focus on that when you do not know who will be in your car.”
The case is still ongoing.
