Zak Brown Calls Palou’s Piastri Signing Claim ‘Ludicrous’

Overview

• McLaren CEO Zak Brown rejected Alex Palou’s testimony that he had no say in hiring Oscar Piastri, telling Reuters the claim was “clearly ludicrous.”
• Brown said he discussed the court comments with Piastri, who “laughed” at the suggestion, and he praised Piastri and Lando Norris as the best pairing on the grid.
• Palou testified that Brown told him then-team boss Andreas Seidl made the Piastri decision and that Brown would help him find an F1 seat, assertions Brown denies.
• McLaren is suing Palou for about $20 million over a breached IndyCar deal; Palou admits the breach but argues the damages are excessive.
• Brown also said McLaren’s ‘papaya rules’ and race approach will not change for the run-in, with the team celebrating recent success and Piastri leading the drivers’ standings.