McLaren takes driver to court seeking $20 million in damages

Having made his IndyCar debut for Dale Coyne Racing, Palou was wuickly snatched by Chip Ganassi Racing for the 2021 season, the Spaniard's first title winning campaign.

The following year, in 2022, the Spaniard refuted a CGR press release that stated Palou was driving for the American team in 2023, with McLaren claiming they had reached an agreement with the Spanish driver.

A legal battle ensued which would meet its end in an out of court settlement that would see Palou serve out the rest of his contract at CGR before making the switch to the McLaren co-owned IndyCar team Arrow McLaren.

However, Palou's goal was always to reach Formula One, and with Oscar Piastri beign signed for the 2023 season, and the subsequent contract extension that would follow for the Australian driver after only 15 Grands Prix, the Spaniard saw his chances of reaching F1 with McLaren evaporate.

With Arrow McLaren failing to reach the status of title contender in Indycar, Palou broke the agreement with McLaren and signed a multi-year deal with CGR, which has yielded three more consecutive titles to his tally, with the 2025 champíonship being his latest success.

McLaren then took a firm stance and initiated legal proceedings against Palou seeking $20 million dollars in damages following what they believe to be a wasted investment of salary, private tests, simulator sessions and an FP1 run at the United States Grand Prix, in the Spaniard talent.

Speaking to Fox Sports earlier this month Palou reacted to the matter. “It’s about time, right?” Palou said. “It's good that it's going to end this year.

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