Zak Brown has rubbished IndyCar champion Alex Palou's declare that he didn't have a say in Oscar Piastri becoming a member of McLaren for the 2023 Components 1 season.
Throughout proceedings within the UK Excessive Courtroom, Palou alleged that Brown informed him that then-McLaren crew principal Andreas Seidl singlehandedly signed 2021 F2 champion Piastri to interchange Daniel Ricciardo three years in the past.
The comment was seen by some as implying Brown had reservations about hiring the previous Alpine reserve, amid ongoing debate over whether or not he's being handled equally to team-mate Lando Norris of their 2025 title battle.
“I went for dinner with Zak close to MTC [McLaren Technology Centre],” Palou mentioned in courtroom final week. “Zak informed me it was not his determination to rent Oscar. He mentioned it was the choice of [then] crew supervisor Andreas Seidl.
“Zak informed me Piastri's efficiency can be evaluated towards mine for 2024. Zak mentioned that, from his viewpoint, my probability of getting the F1 seat was not affected by Oscar.”
McLaren Racing CEO Brown has now responded to Palou's feedback for the primary time, dismissing the Spaniard's suggestion that he wasn't concerned in main driver choices as “ludicrous”.
“I am unsure which allegation amused me extra – the notion that I might not be the one making a key determination about our driver line-up, or the suggestion that I wasn't on board with signing the vastly proficient Oscar Piastri,” Brown informed Reuters.
Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing
Photograph by: Penske Leisure
“Each allegations are clearly ludicrous, and anybody who follows our sport will see straight by them.”
Brown revealed that Piastri “laughed” at Palou's feedback when the pair met final week after the Singapore GP.
“Now we have the best possible driver pairing on the F1 grid in Oscar and Lando. I couldn't be extra thrilled with their unbelievable efficiency and their sportsmanship,” he added.
“I'm excited for the superior racing we're going to see for the remainder of the season.”
McLaren is suing Palou for round $20million after the latter reneged on its IndyCar contract to stay at Chip Ganassi Racing in 2024.
Palou has admitted to breaching the deal, saying he misplaced religion in McLaren's capacity at hand him a chance in F1, however disputes the quantity he owes to the Woking-based squad.
Moreover, the 28-year-old claimed that Brown had provided to assist him discover a seat in F1, however the American has denied making any guarantees.
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