Court docket recordsdata reveal seven-figure price ticket to place a rookie in FP1 with McLaren

Court docket filings within the ongoing dispute between the McLaren Components 1 staff and Alex Palou have revealed a concrete quantity on how a lot it prices to place a rookie in a automobile throughout a free observe session, based on Motor Sport Journal.

Paperwork referenced within the court docket case between the 2 events present that Toyota World Endurance Championship driver Ryo Hirakawa secured a drive throughout FP1 of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race weekend with McLaren for roughly $3.5million. This additionally included working older equipment underneath the ‘testing of earlier automobiles’ guidelines.

This information, reported by way of Motorsport Week, comes as McLaren’s go well with seeks roughly $20million after Palou selected to stay with Chip Ganassi Racing regardless of signing with the papaya-coloured staff in 2022. The Spaniard confirmed that he breached the contract with the staff, however argues that attributable to McLaren’s alleged overselling of how practical an F1 seat can be for him in addition to the expense of his FP1 session with the staff, he owes the outfit nothing.

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has additionally obtained scrutiny over the alleged deletion of WhatsApp messages, which the staff has strongly denied.

As of 2025, groups should area an eligible rookie twice for every automobile throughout both free observe one or free observe two. These rookies should have not more than two F1 race begins however should additionally pay for the expertise, based on this report.

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Photograph by: Kym Illman / Getty Photographs

“When testing with McLaren, Zak instructed me he believed we may make it occur, and that he would give me all of the preparation I wanted to get to F1,” the Indy 500 winner stated. “On the time I believed he was real.”

Based on the driving force, it was then-team principal Andreas Seidl’s determination to signal Oscar Piastri.

“Zak instructed me Piastri’s efficiency can be evaluated towards mine for 2024. Zak stated that, from his standpoint, my probability of getting the F1 seat was not affected by Oscar.

“Nonetheless, I knew the whole lot had modified. From that time on, I began to be extra prepared to stick with CGR sooner or later.”

Brown denied telling Palou he was assured a seat within the championship.

“I instructed him what the alternatives can be in F1. I by no means instructed him he can be into account.”