F1 LIVE: FIA announce ‘extreme’ rule changes as McLaren begin suing driver for £18m | F1 | Sport

McLaren are suing Alex Palou for £18.2million ($23m) in damages after the two-time IndyCar champion abandoned his contract with the team to sign with Chip Ganassi Racing.

The Associated Press report that the Spanish driver admitted to breaching his contract in a 20-page legal document that was sent to the High Court. In this dossier, Palou said that he “lost trust and confidence that (McLaren) genuinely intended to support his ambition to race in the Formula One Series and decided to continue racing with CGR in the Indy Car Series instead.”

The documents also stated that the 26-year-old “therefore admits that he renounced his contractual obligations” and that “the real issue between the parties is as to the quantum of any damages which the Defendants are liable to pay”.

McLaren’s desired damages will cover sponsorship losses, the cost of developing him as a test and reserve driver, as well as a £316,000 ($400,000) advance on his salary for the 2024 IndyCar season.

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