Arrow McLaren has confirmed Christian Lundgaard will substitute Alexander Rossi for the 2025 IndyCar Collection season.
Talking on the choice, Workforce Principal Gavin Ward stated: “Alexander [Rossi] has been an unimaginable team-mate, and we’re grateful for our two seasons with him. We wouldn’t be the place we’re at present with out him.
“In the end we couldn’t meet within the center on phrases, however we completely want him the very best and can do all we are able to the second half of the season to get him within the high 5 within the championship.
“Christian [Lundgaard] has had confirmed success in his few seasons racing within the sequence, and he checks the containers for what we’re on the lookout for in velocity and potential alongside Pato and Nolan. The three make up the youngest trio on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES grid, and we all know that route has been paying off for our F1 counterparts with Lando [Norris] and Oscar [Piastri].
“We’re trying towards our long-term aim of sustained excessive efficiency, and I consider with these three drivers and the continuing assist of Arrow and all our superb companions, we’re taking a superb step in that route for 2025.”
A 22-year-old from Denmark, Lundgaard, who’s at the moment eleventh within the championship standings, will go away Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) after three full-time seasons and take over Arrow McLaren’s No. 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 Components 2.
He then made a full-time swap from the Components 1 path to IndyCar in 2022, claiming Rookie of the Yr honors and has since accrued 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 Pictures
Lundgaard, a two-time race winner in F2 and former Alpine improvement 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,” stated Lundgaard. “I’ve numerous respect for Zak [Brown], Gavin [Ward], Tony [Kanaan] and the crew, and I feel Pato [O’Ward], Nolan [Siegel] and I’ll work properly collectively.
“I’m targeted 100% on ending this season sturdy with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. We have now numerous the season left, however it is a large weight off my shoulders that can hopefully let me compete at my finest the subsequent 9 races.”
Rossi, who’s at the moment seventh within the championship standings, joined Arrow McLaren final 12 months after seven seasons at Andretti World. In line with the crew launch, the crew “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 high fives and 17 high 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,” stated Rossi. “I’m grateful to have been a part of the crew’s inner development.
“The No. 7 crew is incredible, and I’ve constructed numerous long-lasting friendships with the crew. Zak [Brown], Gavin [Ward], Tony [Kanaan] and I had many conversations over the past a number of months on my future with the crew. 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 powerful conclusion to my time in papaya.”
Within the wake of this announcement, RLL launched an announcement stating: “Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing is trying ahead to closing out our working relationship with Christian Lundgaard as efficiently as potential and thank him for his previous efforts on behalf of the crew.We’re proud to have introduced him into the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and want him properly sooner or later.”
