The 2025 Indy Car season for Arrow McLaren SP will include not only one but two new faces to the team. It was recently announced that Nolan Siegel would join the team for next year, completing the trio of Patricio (Pato) O’ Ward and Alexander Rossi. However, after signing a “multi-year” contract, set to end at the end of 2025 with Arrow in 2022, Rossi is set to leave the team at the end of this season.
Courtesy of NYTimes.com
Rossi began his Indy Car in 2016 with Andretti and won the 2016 Rookie of the Year. During his first year with Andretti, he managed to win the Indianapolis 500 after starting from 11th on the grid. During his time with Andretti, Rossi won seven races with the team and was a championship contender, finishing second in 2018 and third in 2019. Although Rossi suffered through some struggles during his time there, it was his winning attitude that attracted Rossi to Arrow in the first place.
"Alex is a proven race-winner and an Indianapolis 500 champion who shares our desire to win," said McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown in a release. "It is essential that we put the right talent in place, both inside and outside the car, so we can consistently compete for championships and race wins as a team.”
While fans will surely miss the dynamic between O’ Ward and Rossi, Rossi agrees that the split between him and the team did not have a negative ending. It was a mutual business decision among both parties.
“It’s not a negative thing. It’s something that, I think all of the conversations that I’ve had with the organization have been positive, but we just couldn’t find something that works for everyone.”
While it is not clear where Rossi will land for the upcoming 2025 season, his talent and winning attitude are sure to help him find his new home in IndyCar.
With the news of this departure, it was also announced who would be replacing Rossi for the 2025 season. Completing the trio of Siegel and O’Ward is current Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Christian Lundgaard. In true Arrow McLaren SP fashion, the team has once again signed another multi-year contract. Before joining IndyCar in 2022, Lundgaard was an Alpine junior driver who spent two seasons in Formula 2 and scored six podiums and two wins.
Courtesy of Associated Press
The signing of Lundgaard will complete the team as one of the youngest trios on the grid, O’Ward being 25 and Siegel being 19. Having the youngest drivers on the grid has proven to be successful with their F1 sister team that includes Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The team is hopeful that this lineup will bring in similar results as well.
Edited by: Sarah Muñoz
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