Christian Lundgaard has been confirmed because the alternative for Alexander Rossi subsequent 12 months within the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevy. The change with Rossi comes after months of unsuccessful makes an attempt to barter an extension, resulting in an amicable choice to separate on the finish of the season.
The transfer completes the staff’s latest efforts to revamp its NTT IndyCar Sequence lineup and presents the younger Dane with an opportunity to vie for better success in one in all IndyCar’s high 4 groups.
It additionally marks the tip of Rossi’s two-year run for Arrow McLaren. He joined from Andretti World in 2023 and has generated two podiums within the No. 7 entry. Rossi at present holds seventh within the Drivers’ championship, one place behind teammate Pato O’Ward.
With the 22-year-old Lundgaard headed over from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Arrow McLaren’s roster in 2025 will grow to be the youngest in IndyCar with O’Ward (25), Lundgaard (who turns 23 later this month), and Nolan Siegel (who turns 20 in November).
For Lundgaard, who sits eleventh within the standings with RLL, the possibility to affix a front-running staff is what he’s been pursuing by way of his agent for greater than a 12 months.
Though RLL made strides in transferring ahead throughout his tenure, serving to Lundgaard to 1 win, two poles, and three podiums since becoming a member of the staff full-time in 2022, it hasn’t been in a position to give him the chance to routinely combat for victories, resulting in his exploration of the market. For Arrow McLaren, the acquisition of Lundgaard comes at a time the place it wants to enhance its team-wide performances.
With the disqualification of Workforce Penske’s Josef Newgarden in March on the St. Petersburg Grand Prix, Arrow McLaren was awarded with a win for O’Ward, who was elevated from second to first, however the staff has been caught in an prolonged dry spell in relation to seeing its drivers roll into victory lane.
The final prevalence occurred practically two years in the past—with O’Ward at Iowa on July 24, 2022—which is known to be a motivating consider reconfiguring the staff’s lineup and attempt to regain its race-winning kind with multiple entry. Since he joined the staff in 2020, solely O’Ward has produced victories for Arrow McLaren, and with Lundgaard within the body, the expectation is for the No. 7 Chevy to affix O’Ward’s No. 5 Chevy within the win column.
So far, with drivers starting from Mikhail Aleshin, James Jakes, Marcus Ericsson, Oliver Askew, Felix Rosenqvist, and Rossi, the No. 7 automotive has completed as excessive as second on a number of events however has not gained because it debuted in 2014.
For Rossi, leaving Arrow McLaren comes with challenges to land at a staff that might supply the identical degree of competitiveness upon his arrival. With no identified vacancies at Workforce Penske, Chip Ganassi Racing, or his former Andretti outfit, the choices for the 32-year-old American may very well be restricted to midfield groups that aspire to dwell among the many Penskes, Ganassis, Andrettis, and McLarens on an annual foundation.
RLL can be an apparent choice, as would Meyer Shank Racing, which is having its greatest season because it joined the collection. Ed Carpenter Racing, A.J. Foyt Racing, and Dale Coyne Racing, together with the incoming PREMA Racing staff, may additionally welcome the 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner.
RLL would even have a high-quality seat to fill and no lack of fascinating candidates to think about, beginning with present worker and reserve driver Juri Vips, free agent Rinus VeeKay, former Arrow McLaren drivers Theo Pourchaire and Callum Ilott, and present MSR stand-in David Malukas.
RACER understands a number of groups have expressed curiosity in Rossi, who will converse with the media on Wednesday.
Lundgaard’s soon-to-be former staff launched a press release after Arrow McLaren confirmed the information.
“Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing is trying ahead to closing out our working relationship with Christian Lundgaard as efficiently as attainable and thank him for his previous efforts on behalf of the staff,” it wrote. “We’re proud to have introduced him into the NTT IndyCar Sequence and need him properly sooner or later.”
