McLaren's head, Zak Brown, admits to offer Indycar's champion Alex Palou

McLaren's CEO, Zak Brown, has confirmed that he explored possible Formula 1 opportunities for Alex Palou, including a conversation with Williams, before the controversial decision of Espanyol to leave. The revelation arose on the 12th of the High Court of London, where Demand of $ 20 million between McLaren and Palou Continue to unfold.

According to court documents, Red Bull had shown interest in Palou. He contacted Helmut Marko on a seat in Alphatauri in mid -2013, but the opportunity fell after Brown's participation.

“There had been some rumors in the media about Alphatauri looking for a F1 driver and my name was in the mixture. In June 2023, I contacted and had a conversation on the phone with Helmut Marko. Helmut was open to me for them and asked me the conditions of my McLaren launch. Zak had called Helmut directly and, as apparently, Palou said in his statement,” Palou said in his statement. ” of witnesses (via Motorsport Magazine)).

Alex Palou He said the episode confirmed his suspicion that his F1 route was blocked. During his cross -examination, McLaren's lawyer, Paul Goulding KC, pressed Palou as to whether he had received fair opportunities to pursue Formula 1 through other channels.

It was during this question that Brown's dissemination Williams came out to light. According to both parties, Brown had come in contact with team director James Votles to discuss the potential interest in Palou, to ensure an alternative F1 team. According to Athletic, Brown, while under crossing exam, also revealed that a free practices session for Formula 1 of McLaren, who was part of his “previous testing program program”, had put Palou on the radar of other F1 teams, including Williams and Alphatauri. However, no agreement materialized and the conversation did not go further.

Brown, who was present in court, reiterated before he had always been transparent.

“I told him what would be the opportunities at F1. I never told him that he would be in consideration,” Brown said (Via Motorsport Magazine)).

When Goulding pressed, Palou defended his decision to remain in Ganassi, insisting that he was driven by McLaren's signature at Oscar Piastri To replace Daniel Ricciardo. He emphasized that he did not intend to confuse the Woking -based dress, but had come to the conclusion that his F1 perspectives were non -existent.

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Alex Palou says “still wanted F1 on Indycar” despite McLaren Fallout

After winning four Indycar titles in the last five years, including a third championship consecutive McLarenThe test program reigned this ambition. However, the forward path is still difficult.

When questioning his own lawyer on October 10, Nick de Marco KC, Palou explained what he would have done if McLaren had exercised his team option by 2027 by virtue of the disputed contract.

“You could reject this extension on the condition that you did not compete for another Indycar team in the 2027 season,” said Marco.

Palou replied, “At that moment I think I had the ability not to run to Indycar, but I still tried to play a Formula 1 reserve role with another team, so this would have tried to do: This was my dream.” ((track Motorsport MagazineThat)

For Papaya's dress, the case has become a public test of its credibility and the application of the contract, which could remodel the way teams structure their series commitments in the future.

The cross exam of Espanyol will continue to continue next week.