The Spaniard then responded several hours later on social media, saying he had not agreed to the extension and that the team had fabricated a quote from him for the press release.
Moments later McLaren announced that it had in fact signed Palou for 2023 – but this announcement came via its F1 team social media channels, not the IndyCar team, and did not specify where he would be racing.
Amongst the evidence in the court case will be portions of the social media posts, as well as McLaren’s press release.
“Alex Palou is under contract with Chip Ganassi Racing through the end of the 2023 season,” a spokesperson told Racer.
“He is a valued member of our team, and we will continue to support him in chasing wins, podiums, and IndyCar championships. As the result of a competing racing team improperly attempting to contract with him notwithstanding the clear terms of our contract, we are proceeding to legal process pursuant to the contract.”
The idea of a driver racing for a team whilst locked in a contract dispute is almost unprecedented in motor sport, but one similar scenario came in the mid 2000s when Jenson Button first wanted to leave BAR for Williams in 2004, then tried to get out of his future contract at the latter the following year.
Ganassi has filed a request for a prompt hearing, meaning that the case would be heard and concluded before the end of August, prior to the final two IndyCar races of the season at Portland and Laguna Seca.