Alexander Rossi will go away McLaren’s IndyCar workforce on the finish of the 12 months as they’ve employed Christian Lundgaard for 2025.
Rossi’s departure is the newest change within the workforce’s driver line-up after a sequence of reshuffles following its unsuccessful try to rent Alex Palou.
Group principal Gavin Ward stated that they had not been in a position to agree phrases with Rossi, who’s managed by his father.
“Alexander has been an unimaginable workforce mate and we’re grateful for our two seasons we’re racing with him,” he stated. “We wouldn’t be the place we’re right this moment with out him.
“In the end we couldn’t meet within the center on phrases, however we completely want him the very best and can do all we will the second half of the season to get him within the high 5 within the championship.”
Rossi joined McLaren from Andretti final 12 months. He ended his first season on the workforce ninth within the standings and lies seventh approaching the midway level this 12 months, however is but to win a race with them.
He stated he had “many conversations” with Ward, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown and workforce advisor Tony Kanaan over the previous months. “We weren’t in a position to come to phrases on a brand new deal, so the mutual choice to half methods is amicable.
“I’m very assured with present discussions within the paddock to land a brand new spot,” he stated, including “I’ll have excellent news to observe quickly.”
Lundgaard, who made his IndyCar debut in 2022 and scored his first win for RLL final 12 months, stated he’s “thrilled” together with his transfer to McLaren, the place he’ll associate Pato O’Ward and Nolan Siegel.
“Christian has had confirmed success in his few seasons racing within the sequence, and he checks the bins for what we’re on the lookout for in pace and potential alongside Pato and Nolan,” stated Ward. “The three make up the youngest trio on the NTT IndyCar sequence grid, and we all know that route has been paying off for our F1 counterparts with Lando [Norris] and Oscar [Piastri].”
Following Palou’s refusal to hitch the workforce for this 12 months, McLaren initially employed David Malukas. However he was dropped from the workforce after he suffered a pre-season damage. Theo Pourchaire was initially named his substitute, however he was dropped for Siegel final month.
Advert | Develop into a RaceFans supporter and
