21 Y.O. Makes Shock McLaren Move After Alex Palou’s $20,000,000 Falling Out With Zak Brown

The motorsports world is on fire as Formula 1 witnesses Lando Norris‘s dazzling displays in the MCL 60, igniting links to top-tier teams. Meanwhile, McLaren’s IndyCar division seems to have found a magic cure for their woes. However, the actual spectacle unfolded after the sensational falling out between IndyCar sensation Alex Palou and McLaren’s bigwig Zak Brown over a jaw-dropping $20,000,000 dispute. In the midst of this storm, a fresh 21-year-old sensation has sent shockwaves through the sport by making a sensational move to McLaren. What’s even juicier is the eerie resemblance of this saga to a past motorsports drama that had everyone at the edge of their seats.

The 2023 Alpine lineup unveiling, starring Oscar Piastri, ignited fierce competition. Despite McLaren ultimately signing the F2 champion, it strained relations between Zak Brown’s team and the Enstone-based outfit. In a parallel twist, Arrow McLaren’s IndyCar division, having lost Alex Palou, is navigating this challenge by introducing a 21-year-old driver for the upcoming season.

After the tumultuous $20 million dispute between Alex Palou and Zak Brown, McLaren’s startling revelation came to light

Alex Palou’s meteoric rise began with his impressive debut in the 2020 IndyCar season, earning him a coveted spot with Chip Ganassi for the 2021 season. In a close battle, he edged out McLaren’s Pato O’Ward for his maiden title. Zak Brown, recognizing Palou’s talent, secured him for McLaren’s 2024 lineup and even positioned him as an F1 reserve. Later, McLaren invested significantly in Palou’s development, while also compensating for the legal battle of a Spanish driver from a prior battle with Chip Ganassi Racing.

However, Palou’s unexpected decision not to race for McLaren shocked Brown, echoing a pattern seen with Ganassi. Consequently, Brown sought a hefty compensation of $20 million. However, amid the ongoing legal battle, Arrow McLaren has unveiled their surprise addition, a 21-year-old driver for their third car.

This announcement comes after Felix Rosenqvist occupied the seat for the past three years, with anticipation surrounding Alex Palou’s potential move. However, Rosenqvist’s departure to Meyer Shank Racing left a void, leading to the surprise introduction of David Malukas to fill the vacant spot.

READ MORE: Alex Palou’s Betrayal of Zak Brown Begins to Make Sense as Lawrence Stroll’s Rumored F1 Pull Comes to Light 

Zak Brown, buoyed by securing Oscar Piastri, remained confident in his planning. However, his past karmas with Alpine seemed to return to haunt him as the dream situation he envisioned quickly turned into a nightmarish scenario, with his rivals displaying overwhelming dominance. To add insult to injury, an old adversary has resurfaced, intensifying Brown’s challenges.

How did the old adversary add salt to Zak Brown’s wound?

Last week, the IndyCar world was abuzz with headlines about Chip Ganassi Racing and Alex Palou’s impressive victory at Portland. Despite facing numerous challenges, the Spanish driver secured his second driver’s championship. Recognizing Palou’s immense potential, Chip Ganassi, the team owner, has now emerged to exacerbate Zak Brown’s woes further.

This development comes after Brown had supported Palou in his legal battle against Ganassi. In a remarkable statement reported by NBC Sports, Ganassi, in response to Palou’s resounding win at Portland, remarked, “Alex Palou’s going to be in our car. I can tell you that. Sure.”

WATCH THIS STORY: Lando Norris & Zak Brown join hands to invest $37 million in exciting F1 venture

The triumph brought an unwelcome revelation for Zak Brown but also imparted a valuable lesson to McLaren’s CEO. Can you decode that message?