McLaren court case over driver contract begins

Four-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou attended court on Monday as a civil trial involving McLaren got underway.

Palou joined the IndyCar championship in 2020 with Dale Coyne Racing and won his first title in the series the following year after switching to Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR).

Midway through the 2022 campaign, Palou refuted a press release that claimed he would race for CGR in 2023, stating he had agreed a deal to join McLaren, who quickly confirmed their deal with the Spaniard.

The matter was resolved later that year through a settlement, and Palou remained at CGR, a seat that has since brought him four IndyCar titles in total - including his latest success in 2025.

However, a civil trial in London is now underway to finalise the finances of the broken agreement between Palou and McLaren, with the latter reportedly seeking around $20 million from the 28-year-old.

Speaking to Fox Sports earlier this month, Palou highlighted his desire to put the situation behind him.

“It’s about time, right?” Palou said. “It's good that it's going to end this year. 

“And I obviously don't know how everything is going to play out or how it's going to go.

“It’s my first time [in court], so you don't really know what to expect. But I'm happy that it'll be the first Christmas in a long time that it's been [without this drama].”

Palou has never raced for McLaren, but made his FP1 debut in F1 with the Woking-based squad at the 2022 US Grand Prix, as well as taking part in several private tests.