McLaren CEO Zak Brown appeared in court earlier this week amid the ongoing case against Alex Palou, and was involved in a heated exchange with the Spaniard's lawyer.
In 2022, Palou announced he would be joining McLaren Racing's pool of drivers for the following campaign, contradicting a press release issued by Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR), who claimed Palou would remain in place for 2023.
Palou eventually stayed with CGR and has fashioned himself into one of the most successful IndyCar drivers with four titles in the last five years.
However, it prompted McLaren Racing to seek roughly $20 million following Palou's breach of contract, and the court case commenced last week.
Brown was questioned by Palou's barrister Nick De Marco on Tuesday, stating the American had a habit of making "false promises of F1 glory" before "shafting them", according to Reuters.
De Marco highlighted Palou signed a deal with McLaren with the intention of getting to F1, but began to lose faith after the team confirmed Oscar Piastri for the 2023 season alongside Lando Norris.
Brown asserted that he “never strung along Alex” and “never told him he would be under consideration for 2023”.
Brown added: “There was some optionality to join F1”.
In his witness statement, Brown outlined his plan to provide an F1 opportunity for Palou.
With Piastri and Norris signed to race full-time, Palou was the “Plan B” in the event that one of the drivers fell ill or was injured, leaving them unable to compete.
Brown also claimed that Plan C was for Palou to jump into the seat full-time in 2024 if Piastri failed to perform.
De Marco accused the American of being evasive and dishonest, and on one occasion in a “testy exchange”, the barrister retorted Brown was speaking “absolute rubbish, made up on the spot”, which in turn resulted in Brown claiming it was De Marco who was “talking rubbish”.
Brown is set for further questioning on Wednesday before Palou faces the witness box later this week.
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