Ever wondered how much it costs to get behind the wheel of an F1 car, even just for a practice session? Prepare to be shocked. Recent court filings in the high-stakes dispute between McLaren and Alex Palou have lifted the veil on the staggering price tag associated with giving a rookie a shot during Free Practice 1 (FP1). According to Motor Sport Magazine, documents from the case reveal that Toyota World Endurance Championship driver Ryo Hirakawa paid a jaw-dropping $3.5 million for his FP1 outing with McLaren during the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend. And this isn’t just about driving the latest car—it also included the use of older machinery under the 'testing of previous cars' rules.
But here's where it gets controversial... This revelation comes amid McLaren's lawsuit against Palou, seeking a whopping $20 million in damages after the Spanish driver chose to stay with Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) despite signing with McLaren in 2022. Palou admits to breaching his contract but argues that McLaren oversold the likelihood of him securing an F1 seat and that the exorbitant cost of his own FP1 session with the team absolves him of any financial obligation. McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has also faced scrutiny over allegations of deleting WhatsApp messages, which the team vehemently denies.
As of 2025, F1 teams are mandated to field eligible rookies—drivers with no more than two race starts—twice for each car during either FP1 or FP2. However, these opportunities don’t come cheap, as the rookies themselves must foot the bill. This raises questions about accessibility and fairness in the sport.
And this is the part most people miss... The saga between Palou and McLaren isn’t just about money; it’s also about broken promises and shifting priorities. Palou, the Indy 500 winner, claims Brown assured him he’d receive all the preparation needed to make it to F1. “At the time, I thought he was genuine,” Palou said. However, the signing of Oscar Piastri changed everything. While Brown denied guaranteeing Palou a seat, the driver felt his chances were undermined. “From that point on, I started to be more willing to stay with CGR in the future,” he admitted.
This story highlights the complex dynamics between teams, drivers, and the financial realities of F1. It also prompts a thought-provoking question: Is the current system fair to aspiring drivers, or does it favor those with deeper pockets? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below—this is a debate that’s sure to spark differing opinions!
