McLaren’s Indycar team has announced that David Malukas has been released before being able to drive for the team.
Feature Image: McLaren
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The End Before it Began
Arrow McLaren announced the signing of David Malukas for the 2024 season on the 7th September, partnering Pato O’Ward and Alexander Rossi.
On the face of it the line up of O’Ward, Rossi and Malukas looked strong, however it would never be realised when it was announced that David Malukas has sustained an injured wrist while mountain biking and would miss the start of the season.
Replacements
With David on the side-lines, Arrow McLaren had to seek new drivers to cover while Malukas recovers from his injury.
Arrow McLaren employed the services of Callum Illot and recently Theo Pourchaire, both drivers put in decent performances under the circumstances, however it is not sustainable for Arrow McLaren to continue to use temporary drivers while waiting for Malukas to return.
Times Up
As with any injury, time is required to allow the body to heal, unfortunately for both David and Arrow McLaren, time ran out. Without a clear timetable for Malukas return, Arrow McLaren decided to release the 22 year old driver before he was able to complete any races for the team.
McLaren released a statement regarding the decision to end the partnership:
[ David’s recovery timeline remains unclear].. Arrow McLaren today announced that the team has released David Malukas for the remainder of the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season due to him being unavailable for the entirety of the season to date, with no confirmed return date, as a result of a left wrist injury, which occurred February 11, in a mountain biking incident. The team has raced at four events with two different drivers, both who were new to the team following David’s incident and currently race in other series: Callum Ilott and Théo Pourchaire. David joined the team in September 2023 and was set to race his third NTT INDYCAR SERIES season with Arrow McLaren until this wrist injury sidelined him from races in St. Petersburg, The Thermal Club in Palm Springs, Long Beach and Barber Motorsports Park. Arrow McLaren is finalizing its driver assignments for the remainder of the 2024 season and will announce confirmations for upcoming races in due course.
Arrow McLaren’s statement on the decision to release David Malukas
David Malukas also released a statement:
The past three months have been challenging. I felt privileged to have had the opportunity to drive for Arrow McLaren and regret that it never materialized. I would have loved to have continued representing the team and its partners going forward. They have been good, and I appreciate all they have done for me. I’ve done everything possible to speed up the rehab process—treatments, physiotherapy, strength training—but my recovery has taken longer than anticipated. Every injury is different, and every body heals at a different pace. I’ll turn my full attention to getting back to 100 percent and then prove that I am ready and able to compete to win.”
David Malukas on Arrow McLaren’s decision to release him
Future
Arrow McLaren will now turn their attention to finding new driver to support O’Ward and Rossi. Will they go back to either Pourchaire or Illot or will they look at other options? After this weekends disappointing results at the Alabama GP where Theo, Pato and Rossi finished 22nd, 23rd and 25th respectively.
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