Christian Lundgaard and Tony Kanaan - Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix - Image Credit: Penske Entertainment: Paul Hurley
Christian Lundgaard and Tony Kanaan - Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix - Image Credit: Penske Entertainment: Paul Hurley
Jul 7, 2026, 12:00 PM CUT
"He might shut me up": McLaren boss admits reality of massive IndyCar driver changes
Arrow McLaren shook up the IndyCar world on Monday. It formalized the reports about Christian Lundgaard and Nolan Siegel's exits after 2026, and confirmed the signings of six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon and 2026 Indy 500 winner Felix Rosenqvist on multi-year deals.
While Siegel's exit was inevitable, the team ending Lundgaard's tenure was shocking. He had emerged as Arrow McLaren's best driver this season so far. But his relative lack of oval prowess motivated team principal Tony Kanaan to take the harsh decision.
In a video interview with reporter Marshall Pruett after the announcement, Kanaan explained how the team wanted better oval drivers.
"How can I win the (Indy) 500 and win the championship? I got to be good in the ovals," Kanaan said in the interview posted on Pruett's YT channel. "How can I do that when I'm fighting three Penskes, three Andrettis, technically three Ganassis, with technically one guy? I don't like my odds there. And that's not a jab; that is a reality. Unfortunately, that is a reality."
Tony Kanaan and Christian Lundgaard - Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix - Image Credit: Penske Entertainment: Paul Hurley
Tony Kanaan and Christian Lundgaard - Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix - Image Credit: Penske Entertainment: Paul Hurley
Kanaan seemed sure that Lundgaard wasn't good enough to win on ovals, especially the Indy 500 in 2027. But he knew that the Danish driver could very well prove him wrong.
"Again, is he (Lundgaard) gonna get there? Yes. Next year, I don't think so. He might shut me up and win the thing. It is what it is, and I'll be the first one to take a big jab at myself, saying, 'You're dumb.' But at this moment, I don't see it."
The former IndyCar champion emphasized that the team's new lineup is the most versatile he could ask for.
"Pato (O'Ward) can win anywhere. Felix (Rosenqvist) has proven he can win anywhere. And if I need to talk about Scott Dixon, then the world is lost," Kanaan added.
Christian Lundgaard has proved himself as a phenomenon on road courses in 2026, with two wins, two second-place finishes, and counting. However, in three oval races, his best result has been a P10 at WWTR. At Phoenix, he finished 13th, and at the Indy 500, 17th.
Scott Dixon aims to carry on Bruce McLaren's legacy in IndyCar
No IndyCar fan anticipated seeing Scott Dixon at a team other than Chip Ganassi Racing, with which he has been racing since 2003. But that switch to Arrow McLaren arrived at an age when many considered him to retire and close his chapter at CGR and IndyCar.
But the 45-year-old had other plans. After the announcement of his signing, Dixon described what it meant to drive for the organization founded by his late New Zealand compatriot, Bruce McLaren.
"(It’s) an exciting next step in my career," Dixon said via IndyCar.com. "It was a big decision for myself, for my family, and I’m looking forward to contributing to what the team, Zak (Brown) and Tony are building there. As a New Zealander, being part of Bruce McLaren’s legacy will be special; his spirit and grit are still very much rooted in that team, and I’m excited to carry that on."
Scott Dixon will take over Christian Lundgaard's No. 7 Chevrolet in 2027, while Felix Rosenqvist will pilot the No. 6 Chevy occupied by Nolan Siegel. Pato O'Ward remains the constant in the No. 5 car.
