McLaren has been accused of seeking to take one of its former drivers “to the cleaners” for millions in damages at the High Court after he breached his contract. Barristers for McLaren told the court on Thursday that the breach of contract has had “serious and enduring consequences”, including the loss of profits, sponsorship revenue and “on-track success”. Lawyers for Mr Palou said the damages claim is “vastly inflated” and is a “bare-faced attempt to ‘take Mr Palou to the cleaners’”, and instead suggest that McLaren has since earned more than it alleges to have lost. Mr Goulding continued that a week before Mr Palou said he would not fulfil his contract, CGR had agreed to pay all damages and costs arising from the dispute. But there was a “disappointment of Mr Palou’s hopes and expectations” of an F1 seat, which caused “the breakdown of Mr Palou’s confidence in McLaren”, the barrister continued.