P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren’s substantially increased the damages it’s seeking from IndyCar champion Alex Palou in their contract row, and revealed a big payday for Pato O’Ward
New court documents reveal that McLaren is seeking over $30 million in damages from Alex Palou, with Pato O’Ward benefiting by earning over $10 million as part of a reworked contract in IndyCar and Formula 1 due to Palou’s decision to stay at Ganassi. The court dispute centers on the compensation McLaren claims it is owed after Palou breached his contract with the team. Palou’s lawyers have countered McLaren’s claims, challenging the extent of the alleged losses. Both sides have yet to present a court date or timeline for the case. McLaren contends that it had to secure O’Ward’s services long-term, leading to a new deal spanning several years in both IndyCar and as an F1 reserve driver. Palou is yet to respond to McLaren’s claims, and the case is being heard in the UK Commercial Court.
