INDIANAPOLIS — The lawyer for 2021 NTT IndyCar Series champion Alex Palou issued a statement Thursday involving team owner Chip Ganassi’s legal action against the driver.
Ganassi filed a lawsuit on July 26 in Marion County, Indiana, contending he has a contract with Palou for the 2023 NTT IndyCar Series season. Palou apparently has signed two contracts, including one with McLaren for next year that would take him to Formula One.
The statement was issued by Rachel E. Epstein of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLC.
”We are disappointed that Chip Ganassi Racing would attempt to keep Alex from an opportunity to compete in Formula One, and even more so with CGR’s public court filings and continued commentary to the press on this matter,” Epstein said in the statement. “Alex has consistently given his very best effort to CGR, and it is unfortunate that CGR would attempt to deny Alex this opportunity.
“We would hope the parties can resolve this amicably, but if not, we look forward to resolving this matter in a private arbitration, as CGR has requested.”
For now, Palou remains in the driver’s seat of the No. 10 NTT DATA Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing as the team prepares for Saturday’s Gallagher Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
It is part of “Brickyard Weekend” — the third IndyCar/NASCAR tripleheader at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.