McLaren Lawsuit Reveals F1 'Pay to Play' Reality
A legal battle between McLaren and IndyCar champion Alex Palou has exposed the financial realities of Formula 1, revealing the high costs some drivers face to earn a seat in the sport.
The London High Court case has shed light on how rookies, such as Japanese talent Ryo Hirakawa, spend millions of dollars to get onto the F1 stage, and even established driver Lando Norris had to pay his own way in his early years.
- McLaren is seeking over $20 million in damages from Palou, who backed out of a signed deal to join its IndyCar program in 2023.
Even Lando paid
Author's summary: F1 lawsuit exposes "pay to play" reality.