SPEEDWAY, Ind. — Alex Palou knew what was coming once he realized Chip Ganassi Racing would not budge on letting him go once it was announced they had extended his contract through the end of 2023.
Palou finds himself in the middle of a thick contract dispute between himself, Ganassi, and McLaren Racing. Ganassi has now filed a civil lawsuit in Marion County Superior Court accusing McLaren of improperly signing Palou who they say is still under contract with them. Palou is also a defendant in the case.
“To be honest I was ready for it,” Palou said. “As I said, everything exploded before Toronto, and from that moment I knew it was going to come. I didn’t know if it was going to come in three days or two weeks.”
Palou rebuked the announcement publicly on Twitter when Ganassi said they had chosen to extend his contract and attributed a quote to Palou saying he was “excited” to be back with Ganassi. Palou then said he never said any of that, before McLaren made an announcement that they had signed Palou to a deal for 2023.
Palou has said he has not had any direct conversations with team owner Chip Ganassi or McLaren CEO Zak Brown since the whole situation developed.
“At the end of the day, the only people who know the truth are my people and, of course, Ganassi’s people,” said Palou. “The rest can have an opinion, but they don’t know all the facts.
Speculation over what brought all this about has been running rampant from Palou agents pushing a McLaren deal on him to Palou possibly wanting to go back home to Europe. Palou grew up in Spain.
“I love my country, but I moved here this year,” Palou said. “I don’t know what the future is going to bring, but I’m here and I’m happy so far.”
Palou also would not speak to the possibility of Formula One or Formula E as an option should he end up with McLaren for next season. When asked if he wants to drive in Formula One, he said “everybody does.”
If the judge tells Palou he must stay with Ganassi for next season, Palou said “I don’t know, we’ll see” when asked if he would still drive for the team or ask for a release of some sort.
Palou said that he is confident that he will be wearing McLaren orange next season.
