IndyCar: Palou’s lawyers seek to move case, countersue Ganassi

Alex Palou’s attorneys filed a motion to move the civil lawsuit against him by his Ganassi Racing team to federal court (to the Indianapolis Division of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana), according to case documents filed Friday.

Palou’s legal team wants the trial moved from Ganassi’s home state and county where they feel he will not get a fair trial, to federal court.  They also argue that Palou is a citizen of Spain, and only here in the USA on a work Visa. Hence they argue the case should be heard in a federal court.

Federal courts typically claim jurisdiction over cases where more than $75,000 is at stake for either party. As Palou and ALPA Racing’s attorneys point out, CGR has motioned for “injunctive relief” and “specific performance” to both prevent Palou from driving for McLaren Racing in 2023, as the sides stated in a July 12 release.

In being forced to drive for Ganassi instead of McLaren, the notice states Palou would be set to lose more than $75,000.

To conclude this part of their argument, the notice reads, “Defendants currently anticipate asserting non-contractual counterclaims, including at least for defamation. The damages Defendants will seek on these counterclaims will exceed $75,000.” IndyStar