Zak Brown takes the stand in McLaren/Álex Palou trial

In the trial opposing McLaren to the four-time champion ofIndyCar Álex Palou and Zak Brown were heard this week before the London Commercial Court. The case in question dates back to July 2022: Álex Palou denied his contract extension with Chip Ganassi Racing for 2023 and confirmed his future transfer to McLaren. While his team initially sought to initiate legal action against its driver, the dispute was settled amicably. An agreement was reached for the Spaniard to continue with CGR in 2023 and join Arrow McLaren in 2024. The Catalan ultimately canceled his transfer in August 2023, leading to new legal proceedings that are still ongoing.

McLaren is now suing Alex Palou for wrongful termination of contract, claiming $25 million in damages. While the 28-year-old driver acknowledges breaching his contract, he disputes the amount demanded by the team.

ALSO READ > McLaren/Alex Palou trial begins

Zak Brown Strikes Back

Called to the stand, Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, spoke before the Commercial Court in London on Tuesday and Wednesday. The American said that the departure of Alex Palou had " significant financial and reputational consequences for McLaren " According to him, the breach of contract would have caused the loss of several major sponsors, justifying the request for compensation. The salaries of the other Arrow McLaren drivers had also been aligned with the high salary of the native of Sant Antoni de Vilamajor (Spain).

« Álex [Palou]'s behavior not only had serious repercussions on McLaren's sponsorship agreements, but is, in my opinion, aggravated by the fact that he did not even inform me of his decision, which would have allowed me to better manage the relationships involved, decrypts Zak Brown. Instead, Álex [Palou] actually threw a grenade into the room and let it explode, leaving me to deal with the aftermath with our sponsors. »

Dashed hopes

The driver's lawyer, Nick de Marco, maintains that Alex Palou signed with Arrow McLaren in the hope of eventually joining the Formula 1. Ambitions that ultimately did not materialize with McLaren. The driver's defender accused Zak Brown of having " makes it shimmer " to his client " false promises of F1 glory " Something the Californian boss categorically refutes. "I never gave Alex any hope, retorted Zak BrownI never told him he would be considered for 2023… there was simply some form of possibility of joining F1. " It is finally Oscar piastri, current leader of the F1 championship, who would join the Woking team that year, putting an end to Palou's ambitions. The tone rose in the hearing, with Zak Brown and Nick de Marco accusing each other of making " nonsense ».

The defense responds

De Marco also accuses Zak Brown of deliberately suppressing written evidence in the case. You wanted to destroy the evidence related to Palou because you knew he would break the contract. " he complains. McLaren admits to using the ephemeral messages feature on WhatsApp, an internal policy meant to preserve confidentiality. According to the defense, this practice was continued despite the advice of lawyers. You destroyed evidence in this case, insists the defense lawyer. You enabled the disappearing messages feature despite being asked not to do so because you were concerned about the consequences. After the lawyers asked you not to enable the disappearing messages feature, you continued to do so and instructed your staff to do the same. »

Alex Palou is due to testify today before the London Commercial Court. A verdict is expected between November and early 2026.