Alex Palou is in the middle of a contract dispute for the second consecutive season, with McLaren the team that’s filing suit against him this year for his apparent abandonment of agreements he had in place for the 2024 IndyCar season.
The team is seeking to recoup the substantial costs it has invested in the 26-year-old’s future, now that he has informed them he does not intend to drive for the squad next year.
Throughout the year, Palou has told media that he wants to say fewer things publicly regarding his future driving plans so that he doesn’t say the wrong thing before his plans are shored up.
On Friday, the Spaniard told Motorsportweek.com that he’s also more removed from the actual contract discussions this year, which happen behind closed doors.
“I’m informed about everything, but I’m not really as involved as I was maybe last year,” said Palou.
“I learned a little bit of what to do that is best for on-track performance and not. I’m trying to be a little bit more a part of all that. Obviously, it’s not ideal as you can imagine.
“I think we’ve been focusing on the track as much as possible all year, and also for the Indy road course last week. It’s been tough, but at the same time we’re in a really good position that we don’t want to give it up.”
Palou revealed that is was a ‘common communication’ to McLaren that he did not intend to drive for the team next year, denying that he told Zak Brown in person.
He also confirmed that he is no longer represented by Monaco Increase Management, and that the split happened the same time the company released a statement saying as much two weeks prior.
“Correct,” Palou confirmed to MotorsportWeek.com. “Yeah, it was the same time.”
The management company expressed disappointment with Palou’s decision in the statement it released when his change of plans were made public, and seemingly had no warning the relationship between the two was ending.
While some of the options for Palou’s future have been ruled out in recent weeks, where he is actually driving next season has not yet been revealed. Although a likely option would be that Chip Ganassi Racing has given him an offer to extend his tenure at the team.
Regardless of what extent he’s directly involved in the decisions regarding his own future, he has found himself drawing the ire of those in the paddock that feel they have received promises from him that he intends not to honor.
