Written by Katie Gregory, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri
Arrow McLaren have confirmed that young talent David Malukas will join them for the 2024 IndyCar season. Malukas replaces Felix Rosenqvist in the #6 Arrow McLaren, and will drive alongside Pato O’Ward and Alexander Rossi.
At the beginning of the season, Malukas was open to renewing his contract. However, after a string of disappointing results, he confirmed he would not be returning for 2024. Speaking to IndyStar about his decision to leave DCR, he said:
“Dale is very, very impressive with the team, and they’re all very good with what they do and the people they have, but with the way things have been going mentally on my end, it just hasn’t been the chemistry I really wanted, which was what we had at the start [2022]. So, going to a different team, a bigger team – something just in a different environment – would be helpful on my end.”
Dale Coyne Racing is one of the smallest IndyCar teams. Yet, they have extremely efficient operations, and can give the bigger teams a run for their money. Although the DCR environment is ideal for a rookie just starting out, Malukas wants to be among the front-running teams, and has shown that he has the talent it takes to be there.
Felix Rosenqvist’s contract is up at the end of 2023, and Alex Palou was set to take the third McLaren seat. But Palou has been the centre of silly season for two years in a row, and was set to take the third McLaren seat. However, with Palou’s shock decision to stay at Chip Ganassi, and Rosenqvist’s contract running out - it became apparent that the third seat was still free.
McLaren need a third driver who can truly challenge Rossi and O’Ward; and Malukas seems to be their best bet. A delighted Malukas expressed his happiness to be a part of the McLaren family in 2024:
Malukas stated: 'I can’t wait to race in papaya next season, Arrow McLaren has been a threat to the top contenders all season long, and I’m excited join the team and see what their Chevrolets can do.'
McLaren CEO, Zak Brown, continued: 'David is an up and comer in the IndyCar Series, and based on what we’ve seen from him so far in his first two seasons, I’m confident there’s a lot of talent we can extract from him through the resources we have at Arrow McLaren.
Beyond what he can do on a racetrack, he’s got a great personality and we’re excited to welcome him to the McLaren Racing family.'
Malukas is the next check mark in the never-ending IndyCar silly season