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LEXINGTON, OH – Despite being Arrow McLaren's best driver this season, Christian Lundgaard may not be taken back by the team in 2027. Lundgaard's contract is up at the end of the season, and there's speculation that the team could let him and Nolan Siegel walk at the end of the year.
Lundgaard is in his second year with Arrow McLaren, where he's currently fourth in IndyCar's championship after finishing fifth last year. Lundgaard has two wins in the Sonsio Grand Prix and Grand Prix at Road America to pair with two other podium finishes. Siegel and Pato O'Ward, his two teammates, have not been on the podium this season.
After winning at Road America two weeks ago, Lundgaard said there's no other place he'd rather be next year than Arrow McLaren. Two days before that, he said he and team principal Tony Kanaan were just "chit-chatting" about an extension. On Friday, Lundgaard answered "sure" when asked if negotiations have become formal since then.
"There is a lot of talks back and forth, and what the result will be, I think we'll find out eventually," Lundgaard said. "As of right now, there isn't really anything, so we'll see. The best thing that I can do is keep on winning, and that's where my head's at."
Following Road America, it seemed almost unfathomable that Lundgaard wouldn't be wanted back. But with Scott Dixon and Felix Rosenqvist on the open market, there now appears to be a chance that Arrow McLaren signs both drivers, leaving Lundgaard to find a new home next year.
When asked if he's exploring other options, Lundgaard said, "yes and no." The 24-year-old then said he's not allowed to talk with other interested teams "in the near future," as the exclusive negotiating window in his contract has not expired. Although Kanaan has confirmed that Lundgaard's deal is up, 2025 court proceedings in the UK Commercial Court lawsuit between Alex Palou and McLaren Racing revealed that Lundgaard's contract with Arrow McLaren is through 2027, with a listed salary of $2.75 million next year. Arrow McLaren would not confirm to IndyStar whether Lundgaard's contract has an option, although it did verify that there have been no amendments to the deal since he signed.
Lundgaard, who enters the Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio with a chance at his third road course victory of the season, is trying to drown out the chatter and finish out the season strong.
"Obviously the talks — internally, externally — it stirs the pot, right?" Lundgaard said. "It stirs the pot in many ways, and I feel like a lot of us are not really sure what's going on, which is fine. A lot of it is rumors. So until there's any facts, there's no point for us to really speculate on it."
At this point, every week is crucial for Lundgaard to prove himself, whether it be to Arrow McLaren or another team. He hopes that his results will speak for themself as the summer progresses.
"The decision is not really up to me, right?" Lundgaard said. "The only thing that I can do is go and win, and then hope that makes the decision a lot easier."
Zion Brown is IndyStar's motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar's motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to the YouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Christian Lundgaard 'not really sure what's going on' with future at Arrow McLaren
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Lundgaard is in his second year with Arrow McLaren, where he's currently fourth in IndyCar's championship after finishing fifth last year. Lundgaard has two wins in the Sonsio Grand Prix and Grand Prix at Road America to pair with two other podium finishes. Siegel and Pato O'Ward, his two teammates, have not been on the podium this season.
After winning at Road America two weeks ago, Lundgaard said there's no other place he'd rather be next year than Arrow McLaren. Two days before that, he said he and team principal Tony Kanaan were just "chit-chatting" about an extension. On Friday, Lundgaard answered "sure" when asked if negotiations have become formal since then.
"There is a lot of talks back and forth, and what the result will be, I think we'll find out eventually," Lundgaard said. "As of right now, there isn't really anything, so we'll see. The best thing that I can do is keep on winning, and that's where my head's at."
Following Road America, it seemed almost unfathomable that Lundgaard wouldn't be wanted back. But with Scott Dixon and Felix Rosenqvist on the open market, there now appears to be a chance that Arrow McLaren signs both drivers, leaving Lundgaard to find a new home next year.
When asked if he's exploring other options, Lundgaard said, "yes and no." The 24-year-old then said he's not allowed to talk with other interested teams "in the near future," as the exclusive negotiating window in his contract has not expired. Although Kanaan has confirmed that Lundgaard's deal is up, 2025 court proceedings in the UK Commercial Court lawsuit between Alex Palou and McLaren Racing revealed that Lundgaard's contract with Arrow McLaren is through 2027, with a listed salary of $2.75 million next year. Arrow McLaren would not confirm to IndyStar whether Lundgaard's contract has an option, although it did verify that there have been no amendments to the deal since he signed.
Lundgaard, who enters the Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio with a chance at his third road course victory of the season, is trying to drown out the chatter and finish out the season strong.
"Obviously the talks — internally, externally — it stirs the pot, right?" Lundgaard said. "It stirs the pot in many ways, and I feel like a lot of us are not really sure what's going on, which is fine. A lot of it is rumors. So until there's any facts, there's no point for us to really speculate on it."
At this point, every week is crucial for Lundgaard to prove himself, whether it be to Arrow McLaren or another team. He hopes that his results will speak for themself as the summer progresses.
"The decision is not really up to me, right?" Lundgaard said. "The only thing that I can do is go and win, and then hope that makes the decision a lot easier."
Zion Brown is IndyStar's motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar's motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to the YouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Christian Lundgaard 'not really sure what's going on' with future at Arrow McLaren
Continue reading...
