Arrow McLaren has confirmed Christian Lundgaard will substitute Alexander Rossi for the 2025 IndyCar season.
Talking on the choice, group principal Gavin Ward mentioned: “Alexander [Rossi] has been an unbelievable team-mate, and we’re grateful for our two seasons with him.
“We wouldn’t be the place we’re immediately with out him. In the end we couldn’t meet within the center on phrases, however we completely want him the most effective and can do all we will the second half of the season to get him within the prime 5 within the championship.
“Christian [Lundgaard] 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 velocity and potential alongside Pato [O’Ward] and Nolan [Siegel].
“The three make up the youngest trio on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES grid, and we all know that course has been paying off for our F1 counterparts with Lando [Norris] and Oscar [Piastri].
“We’re wanting towards our long-term purpose of sustained excessive efficiency, and I consider with these three drivers and the continuing help of Arrow and all our superb companions, we’re taking a very good step in that course for 2025.”
A 22-year-old from Denmark, Lundgaard, who’s at present eleventh within the championship standings, will go away Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) after three full-time seasons and take over Arrow McLaren’s #7 Chevrolet.
He made his first-ever IndyCar begin in a one-off look with RLL on the Indianapolis Street Course in 2021, which additionally marked the final of a three-year stint in Method 2.
He then made a full-time change from the Method 1 path to IndyCar in 2022, claiming Rookie of the Yr honours and has since gathered one win (Toronto, 2023), three poles and two poles in 43 profession begins.
Christian Lundgaard, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda autograph session
Picture by: Geoffrey M. Miller / Motorsport Images
Lundgaard, a two-time race winner in F2 and former Alpine growth driver, completes a driver lineup for 2025 that features Pato O’Ward and Nolan Siegel, who was introduced in a multi-year deal simply two weeks in the past.
“I’m excited to have my plans set for 2025 and past, and I’m thrilled it’s with Arrow McLaren,” mentioned Lundgaard.
“I’ve a number of respect for Zak [Brown], Gavin [Ward], Tony [Kanaan] and the group, and I feel Pato [O’Ward], Nolan [Siegel] and I’ll work properly collectively. I’m targeted 100% on ending this season robust with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. We have now a number of the season left, however it is a large weight off my shoulders that can hopefully let me compete at my greatest the following 9 races.”
Rossi, who’s at present seventh within the championship standings, joined Arrow McLaren final 12 months after seven seasons at Andretti World.
Based on the group launch, the group “mutually parted methods” with the 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner.
Throughout his time with Arrow McLaren, which quantities to 25 points-paying begins at this level, Rossi has earned two podiums, 9 prime fives and 17 prime 10s. He completed ninth within the total championship final season.
“My time at Arrow McLaren, whereas it’s been solely brief two seasons, has been rewarding in some ways,” mentioned Rossi.
“I’m grateful to have been a part of the group’s inside development. The No. 7 crew is unbelievable, and I’ve constructed a number of long-lasting friendships with the group. Zak [Brown], Gavin [Ward], Tony [Kanaan] and I had many conversations during the last a number of months on my future with the group.
“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. I’ll have excellent news to comply with quickly, and in the meantime I’m targeted on a top-five end within the 2024 championship and a robust conclusion to my time in papaya.”