Chip Ganassi Racing sues Alex Palou

There was a time not long ago when summer sagas attracted the vast majority of viewers to the small screen. In IndyCar, the saga of summer 2022 takes the form of a very real fight concerning the future of outgoing champion Alex Palou. The Spanish driver was in fact sued by his team Chip Ganassi Racing on July 25.

The American team is filing a civil suit against its 25-year-old driver in Marlon Superior Court in Indianapolis, Indiana. The documents have been made public this Wednesday July 27. The difference is not explained but in all likelihood relates to the contract linking Alex Palou to Chip Ganassi Racing. This contractual dispute finds its source in the imbroglio of July 12, where two teams publicly provided its services almost simultaneously for 2023.

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Initially, his current team Chip Ganassi Racing announced that it had activated the option to extend his contract for the 2023 season. The 2021 IndyCar champion therefore had to continue his career within the team led by Chip Ganassi , information which confirmed the rumors in the corridors concerning a status quo in the CGR formation. “Alex’s track record speaks for itself”, declared the team owner in a first press release. “He is a proven champion and one of the most formidable drivers in the world. We are very happy to continue working together. »

Even Alex Palou was satisfied with this renewed partnership. “It’s a great feeling knowing that I will be back with Chip Ganassi Racing next season. The team welcomed me with open arms from day one, and I'm excited to continue working with Chip, Mike Hull and everyone within the organization. The goals remain the same and we will continue to work tirelessly to achieve them. »

Yes, but there you go. A few hours after this publication, the Spanish pilot reacted on Twitter in an unexpected way. “I recently learned through the media that this afternoon, without my agreement, Chip Ganassi Racing issued a press release announcing that I would drive with CGR in 2023,” he wrote.

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I have recently learned from the media that this afternoon, without my approval, Chip Ganassi Racing issued a press release announcing that I would be driving with CGR in 2023. Even more surprising was that CGR's release included a “quote” which did not come from me.

— Alex Palou Montalbo (@AlexPalou) July 12, 2022

Even more surprising, the CGR press release included a quote that did not come from me. I did not approve this press release, and I did not author or approve this quote. As I recently informed CGR, for personal reasons I do not intend to continue with the team beyond 2022. Aside from tonight's unfortunate events, I have great respect for the CGR team and I look forward to finishing this season strong together. »

In the wake, Zack Brown, the CEO of McLaren, boasted of securing the services of Alex Palou from 2023. “I am happy to add Alex Palou to the McLaren Racing family. This is a fantastic addition to our already phenomenal line-up. »

A very short deadline

Chip Ganassi Racing's legal action places Alex Palou and the ALPA Racing company (which defends the driver's interests in competition) in the camp of the accused. What ? The team founded by Chip Ganassi Racing refuses to make the slightest comment in the press across the Atlantic but the unconventional termination of the contract is targeted.

Several documents in the file are public, like the tweet from Alex Palou criticizing the conduct of his employer as well as the press release from McLaren Racing welcoming the arrival of the Spaniard.

Chip Ganassi wants to act quickly. The team boss has filed a request for a speedy hearing on this preliminary injunction by the end of August. In addition, Ganassi expressly wishes that the defense as well as the third party entities involved (McLaren Racing and Arrow McLaren SP), respond to their requests “completely and without escape within 14 days of receipt of the letter”.

The 2022 IndyCar season is in full swing meanwhile. The final in Laguna Seca (California) is scheduled for September 11, after the previously indicated deadline. The underlying question concerns the participation of Alex Palou during the final events of the 2022 campaign. The driver is still in the running to win a second title in the discipline, since he is in sixth place just 44 points behind the leader, his teammate at Chip Ganassi Racing, Marcus Ericsson.

However, everything seems to be going well between the CGR and Alex Palou. A press release issued by the team with 10 victories at the Indianapolis 500 is surprisingly reassuring, even calming. « Alex Palou is under contract with Chip Ganassi Racing until the end of the 2023 season. He is a valued member of our team, and we will continue to support him in his quest for victories, podiums, and titles in IndyCar.

Following an abusive attempt by a competing racing team to enter into a contract with him despite the clear terms of our contract, we are proceeding with legal proceedings in accordance with the contract. All inquiries regarding this matter will be handled by our legal advisor.”

The CGR did not wait for this legal attack for relations to become strained with Alex Palou. Since the Toronto event (Canada, July 17), he no longer has remote access to his team's data. Information relating to the settings of its car on the different routes of the calendar remain accessible only on site from Thursday to Sunday.

“It’s true that I don’t have the access I had before to data, like from home, itand that I understand, the person concerned explained at a press conference. I mean, it's normal. I think I would do the same thing if it was my team. So yes, it has changed. But I understand. It's not like I'm short of meetings and stuff like that. »