Chip Ganassi has filed in Marion County Superior Court in Indiana in yet another chapter of its dispute with Alex Palou. The American team accuses the driver of having disclosed classified information
The war between Chip Ganassi and Alex Palou has gained another chapter. And this time in the judicial sphere. The American team has filed a civil suit against the driver in the Superior Court of Marion County, Indiana, under the allegation that he disclosed confidential contract information.
The imbroglio began on the 12th, when the Spaniard publicly denied staying at Chip Ganassi and confirmed signing with McLaren for 2023. Shortly before, the team had released a press release, guaranteeing Álex's continuity in the team.
Chip was furious and even considered removing Palou from the #10 car at the Toronto GP, which didn't happen. The fight, however, reached the judicial sphere.
According to IndyStar, CGR is represented in the lawsuit by four lawyers - John Maley, Mark Owens and Dylan Pittman of Barnes & Thornburg LLP, and James Voyles of Voyles Vaiana Lukemeyer Baldwin & Webb -, who ensured that Palou was served in two different addresses: in Spain and also in Carmel, USA.
Ganassi attached four pieces of evidence to the lawsuit to support its claim of leaking "confidential business information" about the deal between Palou and the team, including the driver's July 12 tweet. The team also added the tweet from McLaren, which announced that same night a deal with Alex, as well as the press release sent out by the Woking-based marque.
Ganassi has requested an immediate hearing on the injunction request, to have the case heard before the end of August.
On Wednesday, the team released a statement confirming the lawsuit, but guaranteeing support for Palou through the end of the season.
"Álex Palou is under contract with Chip Ganassi Racing through the end of the 2023 season. He is a valued member of our team and we will continue to support him in his quest for Indy wins, podiums and championships. As a result of a rival team trying to hire him inappropriately, ignoring the terms of our contract, we are taking legal action under our contract," he added.
Indy is already in Indianapolis for this weekend's race on the mixed circuit, the second this season. Ryan Hunter-Reay, for all intents and purposes, is the reserve driver for Ganassi.