Zak Brown Rejects Palou’s Claim in $20 Million Suit, Keeps McLaren’s Team Strategy Intact
Brown calls the Piastri allegation “ludicrous,” with the High Court dispute continuing in London.
Overview
- McLaren is suing Alex Palou in London’s High Court for about $20–21 million over his decision to back out of a 2023 IndyCar agreement and remain with Chip Ganassi Racing.
- In sworn testimony, Palou claimed Zak Brown told him the Oscar Piastri signing was not Brown’s decision and that an F1 seat hinged on Palou’s IndyCar performance.
- Brown has denied those assertions, describing them as “ludicrous,” and says he supported signing Piastri and retains authority over major driver decisions.
- Brown also said McLaren’s so‑called Papaya rules and race approach will not change following recent tensions between Piastri and Lando Norris.
- Piastri has nine Grand Prix wins and leads Norris by 22 points as McLaren celebrates back‑to‑back Constructors’ titles, with media speculation linking the Australian to a possible Ferrari move in 2027.