David Malukas has signed a multi-year contract to race for McLaren, taking over the seat Alex Palou turned down.
Palou was expected to join McLaren after signing for them last year. That provoked a legal battle between the team and Palou’s Ganassi squad.However, last month, Palou signalled his intentions not to honour his contract with McLaren for 2024 and remain with Ganassi. Nonetheless a vacancy has appeared at McLaren’s three-car team as Felix Rosenqvist’s departure to Meyer Shank Racing was confirmed earlier this week.
Malukas, who spent his second season with Dale Coyne Racing this year, has now been announced as Rosenqvist’s in the seat originally intended for Palou. He will race alongside the team’s current drivers Pato O’Ward and Alexander Rossi in 2024.
“I can’t wait to race in papaya next season,” Malukas said. “McLaren has been a threat to the top contenders all season long and I’m excited to join the team and see what their Chevrolets can do. Pato and Alexander both know what it takes to win, so it will be fun racing alongside them and learning from them as well.”
McLaren IndyCar racing director Gavin Ward said McLaren had been “extremely impressed with how quickly David has gotten up to speed in IndyCar” since his debut last year.
“At 21, he’s already one of the strongest oval racers in the field and his competitiveness on road and street courses has been steadily improving. That speed combined with an excellent attitude and work ethic makes us thrilled to have him join the team.”
Since making his debut in the championship last season, Malukas – the youngest driver in IndyCar – has taken two podium finishes, both at the Gateway oval races. He previously took the runner up position in the Indy Lights championship to Kyle Kirkwood before his rookie season last year.
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BasCB (@bascb)
9th September 2023, 21:08
Well, that will be interesting to see how he develops over the next few years!