Alex Palou said that he was prepared to give up IndyCar racing for a Formula 1 reserve driver role, as he began giving evidence at the High Court today.

The four-time champion and Indy 500 winner described F1 as his “dream” and that he would step back from a full-time racing seat to be a reserve in the grand prix paddock, given the chance.

Palou has said that the “only attraction” in signing a contract to join McLaren‘s IndyCar team was the possibility of moving to Formula 1 and that he was told by McLaren boss Zak Brown that he would “get a chance” — Brown denies making any promises.

After watching the team sign Oscar Piastri, Palou claims that he began doubting that he would get the opportunity of an F1 move.

Despite agreeing to join McLaren’s IndyCar team from the 2024 season, Palou opted to remain at his existing Chip Ganassi Racing team, and admits breaching his contract with McLaren.

The team is claiming $20.7m in damages from the driver and his management companies, but they claim that this is an attempt to take the driver “to the cleaners”.

Palou’s contract with McLaren was due to run from 2024 to 2026, with an option to extend that for a year.

Nick De Marco KC, representing Palou, asked the driver: “You could refuse that extension on the condition you did not race for another IndyCar team in the 2027 season.

“If you had stayed with McLaren, what would you have done when McLaren tried to exercise the option?”

Palou replied: “At that point I think I had the ability to not race in IndyCar but still try to get a Formula 1 reserve role with another team, so that is what I would have tried to do: that was my dream.”

The case continues.