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McLaren CEO breaks silence after ‘long and painful’ legal battle comes to an end

Photo: RacePictures

F1 News

04:29, 06 Mar

Updated: 04:35, 06 Mar

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byTobia Elia

Zak Brown took a moment to revisit the legal dispute between McLaren and IndyCar champion Alex Palou, which was only recently resolved.

"That was a long and painful process but it was all about making sure the truth came out"

- Zak Brown

Zak Brown speaks out after Palou dispute comes to an end

The IndyCar champion had been locked in a courtroom battle with the Woking-based team after a London High Court ruled that he had walked away from two separate agreements with McLaren.

Following a five-week trial, the Chip Ganassi driver had been ordered to pay more than $12 million in damages, with the Spaniard later sharing his side of the story in a lengthy statement.

Speaking to GPblog and other media in Melbourne, the McLaren CEO said he was relieved the matter had finally been resolved, while admitting he had never wanted the situation to escalate the way it did.

Photo RacePictures

"That was a long and painful process but it was all about making sure the truth came out. And I think the statement that he put out accurately reflects what we knew, so I'm glad it's behind us. I'm also glad that everyone at the end now knows how it all played out.

"It's unfortunate. I wouldn't want to go through that again, I'm sure he wouldn't want to go through that again, but I'm kind of happy our name, if you'd like, has been cleared because there was a lot of mudslinging in there early on and now I think it's pretty evident. We did everything that we said we would and then some, so I'm pleased with that."

Brown reveals when F1 teams will meet over uncertain situation in Middle East

Formula 1 teams are set to hold a meeting on Saturday, March 7, to address the situation surrounding the upcoming races in the Middle East. McLaren CEO Zak Brown confirmed this to GPblog during the same media session, stressing that teams will soon need clarity in order to finalise the necessary logistical arrangements.

As GPblog previously reported, representatives from the teams will meet in Australia alongside the FIA and Formula 1 management to discuss how to proceed with the Middle Eastern rounds. Brown confirmed to GPblog that the discussion is scheduled to take place on Saturday.

Read the full story here.