In a sensational twist, IndyCar champion Alex Palou looks set to counter-sue his team Chip Ganassi Racing for defamation.
Last week, Chip Ganassi Racing filed a lawsuit against Palou and his racing entity ALPA Racing SL.
The proceedings stem from Chip Ganassi Racing allegedly taking up an option on Palou’s contract to have him race with the team in 2023.
Stan Sport is the only place to watch the 2022 INDYCAR Series with every race streaming ad free, live and on demand. Start your free Stan Sport trial here!
However, Palou said he told the team he would not be racing for them next year and instead will drive for McLaren Racing in a yet-to-be-confirmed capacity.
McLaren Racing has not confirmed where Palou will drive, whether that be in its IndyCar program, Formula 1 or Formula E.
On Tuesday, it emerged Palou’s lawyers had filed a request to have legal proceedings moved to the federal court.
Currently, the matter lies with the Marion County superior court but could move to the Indianapolis Division of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
The Spaniard’s representatives argue that “diversity of citizenship” be taken into consideration.
Palou’s co-defendant, ALPA Racing SL, is a Spanish company while Chip Ganassi is a United States resident of Pennsylvania.
Palou’s lawyers have also argued that the sum being argued over is more than the $100,000 threshold and necessitates the proceedings be moved.
According to reports out of the United States, the “diversity of citizenship” argument can be made due to supposed concerns a foreign national might not be looked upon favourably.
“Plaintiff brings, among other claims, claims for breach of contract and seeks as remedies injunctive relief and specific performance, seeking to force Alex Palou to drive for Chip Ganassi Racing, LLC in the 2023 IndyCar Season,” Palou’s lawyers claimed.
“Here, at a minimum, the contracts that Plaintiff purport to seek to enforce are worth in excess of the jurisdictional threshold of (US)$75,000.
“Further, the amount at stake for Plaintiff is at least the value of Alex Palou’s driving efforts in 2023 and Defendants’ pecuniary stake in complying with Plaintiff’s requested relief is, at least, the difference in value between Alex Palou’s potential contract payments from Ganassi for 2023 and potential contract payments earned by racing for different racing team for the 2023 season and beyond. These amounts exceed (US)$75,000.”
Coinciding with the motion to move the proceedings is an intent for Palou to counter-sue Ganassi.
“Additionally, defendants currently anticipate asserting non-contractual counterclaims, including at least for defamation,” the court documents read.
“The damages defendants will seek on these counterclaims will exceed (US)$75,000.”
In doing so, the filing subsequently cancelled an initial attorney conference that was set down to take place on August 1 (local time).
Ganassi’s lawyers have 30 days to file a Motion of Remand if they wish to stop the move to the federal court.
Palou currently lies sixth in the standings with four races remaining in the IndyCar season.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
