McLaren boss Zak Brown left fuming after Lando Norris replacement snubs contract

Lando Norris looking forward to 'different responsibility' as McLaren's senior driver

Zak Brown has issued an angry statement after Alex Palou decided not to sign with McLaren’s IndyCar team for 2024. The Spaniard has been tipped by many to eventually succeed Lando Norris, assuming the Bristol-born star leaves in search of a title-chasing team once his contract expires.

Norris has long been the leading driver at McLaren, although routinely punching above his weight is yet to see him bank an elusive Grand Prix victory. The 23-year-old signed a contract extension in February last year which is set to keep him with the team until 2025.

In Oscar Piastri, Norris has an exciting young team-mate, and the Aussie has a deal with McLaren until the end of 2024. But thereafter, many were looking towards Palou as a potential candidate to step up to F1.

The 26-year-old has been dominant in the IndyCar Series, although it recently emerged that he has turned his back on a contract to race for McLaren’s team in favour of signing a new deal with Chip Ganassi Racing.

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“I’m extremely disappointed that Alex Palou does not intend to honour his contractual obligations to race with us in Indycar in 2024 and beyond,” said Brown, McLaren Racing CEO.

“This is incredibly disappointing, considering the commitment he has made to us both directly and publicly and our significant investment in him based on that commitment.

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“We have invested time, money and resources preparing to welcome Alex into our team because we believed in him and were looking forward to IndyCar wins with him.”

Palou was previously at the centre of a legal battle regarding the 2023 season, eventually arriving at an agreement which saw him stay with Ganassi while being allowed to fulfil the role of McLaren’s reserve F1 driver.

The Spaniard took part in test sessions for McLaren at the Hungaroring in June, as well as at the Red Bull Ring and in Barcelona.

In another twist, Palou has also split with his management company, Monaco Increase Management, who released the following statement: “We are bitterly disappointed to learn about Alex Palou’s decision to break an existing agreement with McLaren for 2024 and beyond.

“Together, we had built a relationship that we thought went beyond any contractual obligation and culminated in winning the 2021 IndyCar crown and tracing a path to F1 opportunities. Life goes on and we wish Alex all the best for his future achievements.”

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