Overview

• McLaren is seeking roughly $20–21 million, citing a renegotiated NTT deal worth about $7.2 million, a further $6.8 million in lost sponsorship, increased driver salaries of more than $1.3 million, and the return of a $400,000 sign-on bonus.
• Palou has admitted breaching his agreement to join McLaren but argues he owes no damages, with his lawyers calling the claim vastly inflated and suggesting McLaren has since earned more than it alleges to have lost.
• Under cross-examination, Zak Brown denied giving false hopes of a Formula One seat, saying Palou was a reserve 'Plan B' and a potential 'Plan C' replacement for Oscar Piastri if the rookie underperformed.
• Court exchanges turned heated as Palou’s counsel challenged Brown over alleged deleted WhatsApp messages and his dealings with other drivers, prompting sharp back-and-forths in the witness box.
• Brown continues facing questions this week before Palou takes the stand, and the trial before Mr Justice Picken is scheduled to run through November with a written judgment to follow.