Rival team admits DAMNING loss of respect for McLaren amid driver pursuit
Rival team admits DAMNING loss of respect for McLaren amid driver pursuit
Chip Ganassi has hit out at McLaren over Alex Palou's contract wrangle, accusing them of "playing the victim" regarding the situation.
McLaren chief Zak Brown previously revealed that Palou unilaterally ended his contract with McLaren for 2024.
With a commanding lead of 101 points, Alex Palou is on his way to securing his second IndyCar title. While things are going smoothly on the track, the driver is now embroiled in one of the season's major controversies.
READ MORE: McLaren star TEARS UP contract to remain with team in 2024
McLaren's CEO, Brown, unveiled last Friday in a letter of Alex Palou's intentions not to continue with the Woking-based team next year, expressing his immense disappointment due to the significant time and financial investment put into the Spanish driver.
Now, it's Chip Ganassi, the owner of Chip Ganassi Racing, who has issued a stark statement regarding Alex Palou's situation, accusing McLaren of "playing the victim."
"Anyone that knows me knows that I don't make a habit of commenting about contract situations. Subsequently I have been quiet since day one of this story but now I feel I must respond. I grew up respecting the McLaren team and their success. The new management does not get my same respect", declared Ganassi in a statement released by the team on Sunday.
“Alex Palou has been a part of our team and under contract since the 2021 season. It is the interference of that contract from McLaren that began this process and ironically, they are now playing the victim.
“Simply stated, the position of McLaren IndyCar regarding our driver is inaccurate and wrong; he remains under contract with CGR.”
Palou's second contractual controversy
This isn't the first time Alex Palou has been involved in a contract controversy. Last year, Palou, Ganassi, and McLaren had a similar dispute.
The Spanish driver decided to sign with McLaren while he still had a year left on his contract with Ganassi. Eventually, all parties reached an agreement where Palou would race with Ganassi in 2023 and be free from 2024 onward to compete in IndyCar with McLaren, alongside having a significant role in the Formula 1 setup.
Palou has yet to reveal his plans for the future, but all indications suggest he will continue with Ganassi in 2024, as Formula 1 options seem distant. Roger Yusakaga, who will once again represent Palou and is closely tied to Honda, will play a pivotal role in the Spaniard's future.
READ MORE: Norris under PRESSURE at McLaren by Piastri influence, pundit claims
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Hamilton F1 rival makes SURPRISE claim about Ferrari move
- 26 minutes ago
Schumacher names shock F1 star to replace Hulkenberg at Haas
- 1 hour ago
Hamilton in Arsenal title wish after STUNNING revelation
- 2 hours ago
F1 boss 'in early talks' to SELL 25 percent of team
- 3 hours ago
Will F1 hopeful Antonelli replace Sargeant from Imola?
- Today 12:58
F1 News Today: Hamilton dealt major Newey blow as Red Bull chief makes BRUTAL admission
- Today 12:04
Related news
McLaren leading fight for HUGE cash injection
Young F1 star set to make McLaren debut in injury replacement
F1 star reveals how Verstappen and Hamilton rivalry influenced key decision
Norris reveals CRUCIAL save that kept him at McLaren
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860