F1 LIVE | McLaren handed $12 million settlement, Williams to miss early test

McLaren has been awarded a $12 million settlement in its legal dispute with IndyCar driver Alex Palou. A court in London ruled in favour of the Woking-based outfit, with breach of contract cited among other claims filed by McLaren against the 28-year-old.

The High Court ruling comes following a trial which spanned five weeks between both parties. McLaren had initially sought compensation in the region of $30 million. However, the figure was reduced to $20.7 million, as the team sought to reclaim losses it claims were tied to Palou pulling out of their initially agreed contract.

The dispute dates back to the summer of 2022, when McLaren and Palou agreed on a move to the Arrow McLaren IndyCar team. However, the four-time series champion’s team, Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR), only agreed to this move on the condition that the Spaniard would drive for the team in 2023 before any possible exit.

The Williams F1 team has announced it will miss the first week of testing in Barcelona. This comes amid recent reports of the team failing to pass its crash test.

The British outfit recently teased fans with the sound of its Mercedes power unit. The Grove outfit, which recorded its best campaign in about a decade in 2025, is not poised to start its maiden shakedown at the Bahrain International Circuit.

The Williams team is also among the four teams yet to reveal its livery for the new season.

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