MONTEREY, Calif. — David Malukas crammed one of many closing items of IndyCar free company Friday when the comparatively unknown Chicago native snagged one of the vital coveted seats within the collection.
Arrow McLaren Racing named the 21-year-old to its third automobile — the one which presumably was going to be crammed by two-time IndyCar champion Álex Palou till the Spaniard alerted the workforce final month he not plans to affix subsequent yr’s lineup.
Felix Rosenqvist has pushed the automobile the previous three years — two spent in limbo awaiting Palou’s motion — and at last moved on earlier this week by asserting a deal to exchange Simon Pagenaud at Meyer Shank Racing.
In sudden want of a driver to fill a gap it was by no means anticipating, McLaren tabbed Malukas, who has spent the previous two years driving for Dale Coyne Racing. He has overperformed on ovals, main him to model himself “Lil Dave” at any time when he finds himself operating in opposition to the IndyCar heavyweights.
Malukas determined earlier this season that he did not need to return to Coyne in 2024 and had been buying himself when the McLaren seat immediately opened final month. Malukas will probably be teammates subsequent yr with Pato O’Ward and Alexander Rossi.
“I can not wait to race in papaya subsequent season,” mentioned Malukas, referring to the workforce’s signature orange coloration. “Arrow McLaren has been a risk to the highest contenders all season lengthy, and I am excited be part of the workforce and see what their Chevrolets can do. Pato and Alexander each know what it takes to win, so it is going to be enjoyable racing alongside them and studying from them as properly.”
McLaren mentioned the deal, introduced forward of Sunday’s season finale, is a multiyear contract. The American-Lithuanian driver is without doubt one of the youngest within the paddock and has two podium finishes the previous two seasons. He completed second in an intense 2021 Indy Lights battle with Kyle Kirkwood, who received the title regardless of Malukas scoring a series-record 16 podiums.
“David is an up-and-comer and primarily based on what we have seen from him up to now in his first two seasons, I am assured there’s quite a lot of expertise we are able to extract from him by the sources we have now at Arrow McLaren,” workforce CEO Zak Brown mentioned. “Past what he can do on a racetrack, he is acquired an incredible character and we’re excited to welcome him to the McLaren Racing household.”
The Malukas signing leaves roughly two recognized seats open for the 2024 season.
Coyne has not mentioned who will change Malukas, though Romain Grosjean might reclaim that seat after two seasons at Andretti International. Coyne might additionally doubtlessly have a seat for Devlin DeFrancesco, a closely funded driver for Andretti who shouldn’t be returning to the workforce.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan additionally has an open seat however closed this season with former System 2 driver Juri Vips getting a tryout over the ultimate two races. Vips mentioned Friday no one has informed him he was auditioning for the full-time trip, however Graham Rahal indicated Vips would possible be the selection assuming the No. 30 entry secures sponsorship to run subsequent season.
Rahal mentioned he additionally expects to signal an extension subsequent week to stay along with his father’s race workforce.
Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson is leaving Chip Ganassi Racing to affix Andretti, and Ganassi employed 2022 Lights champion Linus Lundqvist to exchange him. Ganassi additionally signed rookie Marcus Armstrong to an extension; Armstrong will add ovals to his schedule after operating solely street and road course races this yr.
Meyer Shank Racing can have a wholly new lineup with Pagenaud and Helio Castroneves being changed by Rosenqvist and sports activities automobile champion Tom Blomqvist. Castroneves is shifting into an Indy 500-only position and likewise can have possession within the group. Pagenaud has been out with concussion-like signs since July.
It isn’t clear if AJ Foyt Racing will make lineup modifications, however Benjamin Pedersen is believed to have a multiyear deal. Santino Ferrucci is in his first season with the workforce.