2022/2023 Silly Season

[broadrun96]

I'm beginning to think Palou's guys didn't ask what the requirements of Ganassi's contact extension were before negotiating with McLaren. And it seems something happened between his management and Ganassi this season that made them look elsewhere and not discuss it with the team at all
And it's still interesting to note it was McLaren NOT AMSP who signed him.

But keep in mind McLaren is mostly looking for who is going to run in the young driver test as per statements from the F1 team management. Unless they are willing to pay Ric to go away he's under contract so no one is joining the F1 team just yet.

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

I'm beginning to think Palou's guys didn't ask what the requirements of Ganassi's contact extension were before negotiating with McLaren.

You think Palou signed a contract but hasn’t got a copy of it?

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by peebee2

You think Palou signed a contract but hasn’t got a copy of it?

Having dealt with enough lawyers, yes I think someone in the office didn't read it carefully, I didn't say they didn't have it. And no, I don't think Palou was directly involved at all other than to have said yup, they asked, let's talk. If you think this doesn't happen often you don't know lawyers in agents offices. Hell there were over a dozen in the last off season in baseball alone, they did not read the extension requirements correctly. If Ganassi has the option to renew without his approval then negotiating another deal ain't worth the paper is written on. And most people have said that's exactly what Ganassi has in writing.

[NaBUru38]

I have read from different sources that Palou's extension clause with Ganassi is mutual, which means that Palou can refuse it.

[bjohnsonsmith]

A number updates from Marshall Pruett on the silly season.

https://racer.com/2022/07/22/pruett-...ate-july-2022/

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

A number updates from Marshall Pruett on the silly season.

https://racer.com/2022/07/22/pruett-...ate-july-2022/

Now there's a good read!
Can't see why the series won't continue to grow?

[broadrun96]

Well I guess we can revive the old Scott Sharp vs Rahal thread and change the names.

Ganassi files suit against their driver,. And he's in the car the final 5 races.

https://racer.com/2022/07/27/ganassi-team-sues-palou/

[joeb]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Well I guess we can revive the old Scott Sharp vs Rahal thread and change the names.

Ganassi files suit against their driver,. And he's in the car the final 5 races.

https://racer.com/2022/07/27/ganassi-team-sues-palou/

He is in the seat....for now....

[bjohnsonsmith]

Alex Palou’s legal team has filed a motion requesting to have the Ganassi lawsuit moved from state to federal jurisdiction in Indiana.

https://racer.com/2022/08/01/palous-...federal-court/

[broadrun96]

It will be interesting, I've asked some lawyery people I know and they said you would have to expect it for multiple reasons. Conflicting out locals due to Ganassi shop location, changing rules of discovery and increasing the damages they can demand beyond 75k of state court. It will SLOWWWWWW things down as they can't expect a hearing before the end of the season with the federal courts.

Feels like he'll finish out the season and a settlement will be reached with lawyers getting paid, Palou's agents being looked down upon by teams, and Palou in some form of McLaren for 2023. No chance he or the team really want him in the car but do wonder what NTT thinks about it, that could change what Ganassi wants to do and whether it's a pound of flesh, or more, they need to move on

[Bcarr6]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

It will be interesting, I've asked some lawyery people I know and they said you would have to expect it for multiple reasons. Conflicting out locals due to Ganassi shop location, changing rules of discovery and increasing the damages they can demand beyond 75k of state court. It will SLOWWWWWW things down as they can't expect a hearing before the end of the season with the federal courts.

Feels like he'll finish out the season and a settlement will be reached with lawyers getting paid, Palou's agents being looked down upon by teams, and Palou in some form of McLaren for 2023. No chance he or the team really want him in the car but do wonder what NTT thinks about it, that could change what Ganassi wants to do and whether it's a pound of flesh, or more, they need to move on

Seems like regardless of whether Alex was in the wrong, it is CGR who stand to lose more here by pursuing this too heavily. Alex is not going to drive for them next year that is clear, but if they completely demolish him in court, are they risking their long term ability to source top quality talent for their seats? Who is going to want to sign for a team who will attempt to financially wreck a driver.

I get CGR being ****ed about all this, but at least in a public opinion forum, and even the Indycar paddock they are the ones who stand to lose more by going heavy handed here.

[broadrun96]

Nope, they HAVE to pursue this path. No one in the paddock is at all surprised by the action and most have told media they would do exactly the same thing. The end goal is to force a buyout of his contract. Remember they have deals based on Palou in the car, them not pursuing a settlement makes it near impossible to get any deals later

It appears most in the paddock and media believe Palou's guys got it wrong and there was a Ganassi held option without the need for him to sign on.

[Bcarr6]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Nope, they HAVE to pursue this path. No one in the paddock is at all surprised by the action and most have told media they would do exactly the same thing. The end goal is to force a buyout of his contract. Remember they have deals based on Palou in the car, them not pursuing a settlement makes it near impossible to get any deals later

It appears most in the paddock and media believe Palou's guys got it wrong and there was a Ganassi held option without the need for him to sign on.

I get CGR surely don't want him at this point, so trying to get what they can out of him is their aim, it just feels like they are going to end up the loser in at least the public eye here.

Not saying that would be just, as you're probably right in saying this is Palou's fault, thats just my impression of how this will play.

[Bcarr6]

On a different note, if Mclaren do end up with Palou in their 3rd seat, it makes me wonder if signing Rossi was the best idea.

O'Ward is proven title fighting quality, Palou very much the same, so the question becomes about Rosenqvist vs Rossi, and given the very latest (last 3-4 races) form from Felix and Alexander, I think i'd be inclined to pick Felix.

I guess from Mclarens eyes, Felix has Formula E experience, which they will probably want in their squad.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Ganassi's lawyers accept the move to federal court.

https://racer.com/2022/08/04/ganassi...e-judge-named/

[broadrun96]

And even more fun now, Felix is only under contract with McLaren through 2022, there's no deal for next year. McLaren just has been terrible with contract announcements this season it seems

[TheMightyM]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

And even more fun now, Felix is only under contract with McLaren through 2022, there's no deal for next year. McLaren just has been terrible with contract announcements this season it seems

Yeah, things sure got weird in a hurry. Not exactly sure what Rosenqvist got out of playing along with this. In any case, here’s the key quote from Marshall Pruett’s story:

In one of the more remarkable twists in a silly season that’s been filled with bombshell revelations, multiple sources have confirmed to RACER that Arrow McLaren SP’s Felix Rosenqvist is not under contract with McLaren Racing beyond 2022.

[Bcarr6]

Originally Posted by TheMightyM

Yeah, things sure got weird in a hurry. Not exactly sure what Rosenqvist got out of playing along with this. In any case, here’s the key quote from Marshall Pruett’s story:

Odd move, seeing as even if they dump him from Indycar, he'd make a uge amount of sense for their new Formula E effort.

Could well be that Felix didnt want to agree to that until he was sure there were no alternative options in Indycar

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Bcarr6

Odd move, seeing as even if they dump him from Indycar, he'd make a uge amount of sense for their new Formula E effort.

Could well be that Felix didnt want to agree to that until he was sure there were no alternative options in Indycar

I think you nailed it right there, he wants to be in Indy but if there are no seats left he doesn't want to bite the McLaren hand that feeds him FE. The teams don't use the media reports to determine who's available so no loss for him to not refute McLaren's statement, his management knows they're free and clear

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

And even more fun now, Felix is only under contract with McLaren through 2022, there's no deal for next year. McLaren just has been terrible with contract announcements this season it seems

According to this Racer article of June 23, https://racer.com/2022/06/23/rosenqv...-mclaren-deal/, he signed a multi-year deal with McLaren, although exactly what he will be driving for the organization in 2023 remains to be determined.

Since then and according to this article, August 4, https://racer.com/2022/08/04/indycar...enqvist-twist/

''RACER understands that if Palou’s contract with Ganassi for 2023 is enforced by a federal judge, McLaren will keep Rosenqvist in IndyCar. But amid the uncertainty of whether Palou or Rosenqvist will occupy the car next season, a press release that diverts attention away from Rosenqvist as a target could, in theory, be beneficial to McLaren as the legal process plays out.''

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

According to this Racer article of June 23, https://racer.com/2022/06/23/rosenqv...-mclaren-deal/, he signed a multi-year deal with McLaren, although exactly what he will be driving for the organization in 2023 remains to be determined.

Since then and according to this article, August 4, https://racer.com/2022/08/04/indycar...enqvist-twist/

''RACER understands that if Palou’s contract with Ganassi for 2023 is enforced by a federal judge, McLaren will keep Rosenqvist in IndyCar. But amid the uncertainty of whether Palou or Rosenqvist will occupy the car next season, a press release that diverts attention away from Rosenqvist as a target could, in theory, be beneficial to McLaren as the legal process plays out.''

McLaren said he signed a deal, it appears they announced something that did not happen, starting to see a pattern here

[bjohnsonsmith]

Rinus VeeKay has signed a multi-year deal with Ed Carpenter Racing.

https://www.indycar.com/news/2022/08/08-04-veekay-ecr

[Bcarr6]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

McLaren said he signed a deal, it appears they announced something that did not happen, starting to see a pattern here

In contrast to the Alpine and CGR announcements though Felix hasn’t made public any objection.

Which id suggest means he either thinks Palou’s chance of being in the seat is slim, or he’s ok with moving into Formula E, but whichever he’s keen to stay part of the McLaren family for now

[bjohnsonsmith]

Here is an update on the Ganassi/Palou lawsuit



https://racer.com/2022/08/10/palou-g...rs-next-phase/

[bjohnsonsmith]

RLL extend Lungaard's deal.


https://racer.com/2022/08/16/rll-ext...undgaard-deal/