In a surprising turn of events, Arrow McLaren announced that Christian Lundgaard will take over the No. 7 car for the 2025 IndyCar season, replacing the current driver Alexander Rossi. This is just the latest in a series of unexpected changes for McLaren’s IndyCar lineup this year.
Kicking off 2024, Arrow McLaren had a trio of drivers lined up for their IndyCar roster: Pato O’Ward, Alexander Rossi, and David Malukas, with Kyle Larson joining the mix for a one-off at the Indy 500. However, their plans were quickly thrown into disarray when Malukas broke his wrist in a mountain biking accident, sidelining him for several races. Initially, Callum Ilott filled in with a cameo at St. Pete, followed by Theo Pourchaire. The team seemed set on Pourchaire as Malukas’ full-time replacement but changed course by committing to rookie Nolan Siegel for the rest of the season. Now, the McLaren camp, known for its unpredictable lineup decisions, has made another move by securing Lundgaard for the No. 7 car from 2025 onward.
Christian Lundgaard’s journey to this point has been quite eventful. Originally poised for a career in Formula 1, the Danish driver found himself without a ride after a lackluster 2021 season. Luckily, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing offered him a seat in IndyCar. Lundgaard quickly proved his mettle by clinching the Rookie of the Year award in 2022, showcasing his talent with a strong second-place finish at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. He continued to impress in 2023, grabbing his first pole position and sealing a victory in Toronto, leading to an eighth-place finish in the championship standings. His move to McLaren could potentially elevate him to a frontrunner status in the IndyCar series.
The decision leaves Alexander Rossi’s future hanging in the balance. Despite a commendable record, including an Indy 500 victory and a current seventh-place standing, contractual disagreements with McLaren have left him without a seat for the upcoming season. Rossi remains optimistic, stating, “I’m very confident with current discussions in the paddock to land a new spot. I’ll have good news to follow soon.” However, as of now, no specific teams have been linked to him, leaving fans and insiders speculating on his next move.
While Formula 1’s 2025 driver market sparked interest right before its season opener, IndyCar’s lineup for the upcoming year has been slower to take shape. Lundgaard’s unexpected transition to Arrow McLaren is likely to trigger a flurry of activity in the IndyCar scene, fueling what promises to be an intriguing ‘silly season’ filled with surprises.
Christian Lundgaard’s induction into Arrow McLaren marks another intriguing chapter in an already dramatic season for the team. As the 2025 IndyCar lineup begins to form, fans eagerly await further developments, especially regarding the future of seasoned driver Alexander Rossi. The unfolding events are sure to keep the motorsport community on the edge of their seats.
