Zak Brown Rejects Claims He Misled Alex Palou Over F1 Seat
McLaren Racing chief Zak Brown has denied misleading Alex Palou with promises of a Formula One seat, as the high-profile legal battle between the British team and the four-time IndyCar champion continued in London on Tuesday.
McLaren are suing Palou for around $20 mln, alleging a breach of contract after the Spaniard pulled out of a planned move to the team three years ago. Palou’s legal team argue that he owes nothing and accuse McLaren of attempting to «take him to the cleaners.» McLaren, who currently lead both the Formula One Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships, also operate the Arrow McLaren IndyCar outfit in the United States.
Allegations of False Promises
During questioning, Palou’s lawyer Nick De Marco suggested that Brown had a pattern of making «false promises of F1 glory» and encouraging drivers before «shafting them.» He argued that Palou signed with McLaren in pursuit of a Formula One future but lost trust after learning through social media that Australian driver Oscar Piastri would join the team alongside Lando Norris.
«All that time you have been stringing Mr Palou along,» De Marco said. Brown denied the claim, replying, «I never strung along Alex. I never told him he would be under consideration for 2023… there was some optionality to join F1.»
In his written testimony, Brown said he regarded Palou as «a real talent» who could succeed in Formula One but insisted he had always managed expectations. He explained that Piastri, now battling Norris for the 2025 title, was signed on a one-year deal, while Palou was considered a «Plan B» replacement should either driver be unavailable. A further option, dubbed «Plan C,» would have seen Palou step in for 2024 if Piastri underperformed.
Brown cited recent examples such as Oliver Bearman and Nyck de Vries, who both earned full-time Formula One seats after making substitute appearances for Ferrari and Williams respectively.
Tense Courtroom Exchanges
Palou ultimately chose to remain with Chip Ganassi Racing, winning three consecutive IndyCar titles between 2023 and 2025 in addition to his earlier 2021 championship and Indianapolis 500 victory.
De Marco accused Brown of evasiveness and dishonesty during his testimony, pointing to deleted WhatsApp messages and questioning his handling of other drivers, including Arrow McLaren’s Mexican racer Pato O’Ward.
In one heated exchange, De Marco said Brown’s account was «absolute rubbish, made up on the spot,» prompting the McLaren boss to respond that it was the lawyer who was «talking rubbish.»
Brown, who attended the hearing shortly after celebrating McLaren’s second consecutive constructors’ title at the Singapore Grand Prix, is expected to continue giving evidence on Wednesday before Palou takes the stand on Thursday.
