Arrow McLaren crew principal Tony Kanaan desires to get by way of subsequent month’s Indianapolis 500 earlier than deciding to retain or transfer on from Christian Lundgaard and Nolan Siegel.
Each Lundgaard and Siegel are within the remaining 12 months of their present contract with the crew. Siegel’s standing has already been well-publicized, with Kanaan telling Motorsport.com in December the California native, who joined the crew midseason in 2024, wanted to “end within the prime 10 within the championship and if not, I don’t assume I can hold him.”
Siegel, 21, is coming off a strongest results of the season final weekend within the Grand Prix of Lengthy Seashore, the place he overcame an abysmal qualifying outing of twenty fifth (final) earlier than progressing a race-high 13 positions to complete twelfth.
In the meantime, Lundgaard, 24, has been a drive since becoming a member of Arrow McLaren forward of the 2025 season. He claimed six podiums final 12 months en path to ending fifth within the championship, and has began off this 12 months with two podiums by way of the opening 5 rounds.
A straight ahead method
Nolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren, Zak Brown
Picture by: Penske Leisure
Throughout final weekend’s race at Lengthy Seashore, Kanaan took half in a roundtable with choose media, together with Motorsport.com, to debate how he plans on dealing with the contract state of affairs.
“Me being on their aspect, I mentioned to them (Lundgaard and Siegel) I do not need them to endure or fear about something till, I’d say as ordinary, as everyone knows, issues will begin after the Indy 500,” mentioned Kanaan, recalling his profession as a driver that included successful the 2013 Indy 500.
“That is the norm. I advised them that I’d be straight ahead.”
Moreover, although, if both ship McLaren its first Indy 500 win since 1976, which got here courtesy of the legendary Johnny Rutherford, the brand new deal will care for itself.
“I mentioned, ‘If considered one of you wins the Indy 500 we’re not speaking about contracts anymore,” Kanaan mentioned. “So, that is a fast repair there. Do not put it on me.
“Christian is up, Nolan is up. I believe I’ll begin speaking about it by Detroit, it can come up. I am not desirous about that proper now. I believe now we have to deal with even getting the outcomes that we’re not getting after which to judge. Then the problem is, I’ve all the time raced for my job it doesn’t matter what as a result of though I had a three-year deal, if I did not stick with it it was going to be a danger, so my deadline is I am evaluating what is going on to occur till the Indy 500 after which after that I will have a look at my choices. I am attempting additionally to maintain myself centered on concentrating on giving these guys one of the best.”
Lundgaard on the rise
Christian Lundgaard, Arrow McLaren
Picture by: Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures
Kanaan, who confessed he “can’t cover something” and is “unhealthy at faking,” did admit that Lundgaard’s performances might drive his hand as rival groups is perhaps eager to steal away his companies.
“If Christian retains driving the best way he drove at Barber, I do not assume I must reply something; I believe I will have to truly signal him faster earlier than anyone else presents him one thing else,” Kanaan mentioned.
“However on the similar time, I’ve obtained to be good about what’s on the market and what the crew wants for, not the brief time period however the long run. Proper now, I am not sad with none of them. The outcomes are usually not there for a lot of causes, however I am extra sensible in saying deal with what we have to do after which by June you guys will find out about it as a result of I’ll discuss it, for positive. And nothing that they will not find out about it, both, earlier than I speak to you guys.”
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