By David Morgan, Associate Editor
The revolving door of drivers at Arrow McLaren continues.
After recently locking down Nolan Siegel to drive its No. 6 entry, the focus this time around is on the team’s No. 7 entry, which is currently piloted by Alexander Rossi.
On Tuesday, the team announced it would be mutually parting ways with Rossi after two seasons to ink a multi-year deal with Christian Lundgaard, who has driven for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing since entering the NTT IndyCar Series late in 2021.
In 43 starts, Lundgaard has one win (Toronto 2023), along with three podium finishes and two poles. Currently, the Danish driver sits 11th in the standings after eight races, with his best finish of the season coming with a third-place result in the Sonsio Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course.
Lundgaard will join Siegel and Arrow McLaren veteran Pato O’Ward to make up the team’s three car stable for 2025 in the No. 7, No. 6, and No. 5 Chevrolets, respectively.
“I’m excited to have my plans set for 2025 and beyond, and I’m thrilled it’s with Arrow McLaren,” said Lundgaard. “I have a lot of respect for Zak, Gavin, Tony and the team, and I think Pato, Nolan and I will work well together.
“I’m focused 100% on finishing this season strong with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. We have a lot of the season left, but this is a huge weight off my shoulders that will hopefully let me compete at my best the next nine races.”
Arrow McLaren Team Principal Gavin Ward noted that Lundgaard will be a welcome addition to the team, wishing Rossi the best in his future endeavors after the team and driver could not come to terms for him to stay in the No. 7 past this season.
“Alexander has been an incredible teammate, and we’re grateful for our two seasons we’re racing with him,” Ward said. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without him. Ultimately we couldn’t meet in the middle on terms, but we absolutely wish him the best and will do all we can the second half of the season to get him in the top five in the championship.
“Christian has had proven success in his few seasons racing in the series, and he checks the boxes for what we’re looking for in speed and potential alongside Pato and Nolan. The three make up the youngest trio on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES grid, and we know that direction has been paying off for our F1 counterparts with Lando and Oscar.
“We’re looking toward our long-term goal of sustained high performance, and I believe with these three drivers and the ongoing support of Arrow and all our amazing partners, we’re taking a good step in that direction for 2025.”
Rossi leaves Arrow McLaren, having spent just two seasons with the team after joining them in 2023 following his career opening stint with Andretti Global.
The 2016 Indianapolis 500 champion scored a podium finish and six top-five finishes with the team last season and is coming off his first podium finish of the 2024 campaign at Laguna Seca. In addition, he has finished in the top-five in three of the last four races to sit seventh in the standings with eight races complete.
“My time at Arrow McLaren, while it’s been only short two seasons, has been rewarding in many ways,” said Rossi. “I’m grateful to have been part of the team’s internal growth. The No. 7 crew is fantastic, and I’ve built a lot of long-lasting friendships with the team.
“Zak, Gavin, Tony and I had many conversations over the last several months on my future with the team. We were not able to come to terms on a new deal, so the mutual decision to part ways is amicable.
“I’m very confident with current discussions in the paddock to land a new spot. I’ll have good news to follow soon, and meanwhile I’m focused on a top-five finish in the 2024 championship and a strong conclusion to my time in papaya.”
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