Arrow McLaren Crew Principal Tony Kanaan nonetheless believes in Nolan Siegel, however outcomes must observe potential if there are hopes of continuous collectively past 2026.
The upcoming season within the IndyCar Sequence marks the ultimate of a present multi-year deal for Siegel with Arrow McLaren.
“It’s a contract yr, however there should not be extra stress as a result of it’s a contract yr,” Kanaan informed Motorsport.com. “I’d hate to see a driver that, as a result of they signed a three-year deal, he is gonna chill out. That is the mistaken mentality to have. You ought to be driving prefer it’s the final day of your contract each race.”
Siegel’s journey with the group started on June 17, 2024 when he was introduced because the pilot of the No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, placing an finish to a carousel of driver drama that included Théo Pourchaire, Callum Ilott, David Malukas, and Alex Palou.
On the time, momentum was on the aspect of Siegel, having made a few IndyCar begins beforehand and narrowly lacking out on making the sector of 33 for the Indianapolis 500. He deserted the remainder of his Indy NXT marketing campaign regardless of main the championship, and likewise went on to take an LMP2 class victory within the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Since then, although, it has been a troublesome transition as Siegel has simply three high 10s – with a greatest end of seventh (Gateway, 2024) – in 26 begins with the group.
Kanaan nonetheless believes in Siegel
Nolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren
Photograph by: Penske Leisure
“What I’d ask individuals earlier than the struggles, as a 21-year-old, he was one in all them; a expertise,” Kanaan mentioned. “We invested in him. Do I imagine in him? one hundred pc. Does he have flashes? one hundred pc.
“I used to be on his automobile the entire yr, on his timing stand. I will likely be on his timing stand the entire yr. My job is to make that child imagine and form him up. Attempting to hurry him on, ‘Dude, overlook the noise. You are able to do it. Cease trying round and worrying about this and that. Drive the automobile.’
“He is in Asia proper now (competing within the Asian Le Mans Sequence). I mentioned, ‘It’s good to be in a race automobile each freaking day. I do not care what it’s.’ That is what we have completed prior to now. These days, we do not anymore.”
Siegel’s struggles with Arrow McLaren have been magnified this previous season as his two high 10s and Twenty second-place consequence within the championship have been considerably off the mark in comparison with his teammates. Pato O’Ward scored two wins, six podiums and 12 high 10s en path to ending second within the total standings. Christian Lundgaard, who joined the group initially of 2025 after three earlier full-time seasons with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, earned six podiums – together with three runner-ups – and 11 high 10s to say fifth within the championship.
There was persistence and understanding that Siegel, who was signed by the group at simply 19 years previous, wanted time to develop and work via teething points in North America’s premier open-wheel championship. Now, although, it’s time to take the subsequent step or danger shedding his trip.
What Siegel must do
Nolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren
Photograph by: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Photos by way of Getty Photos
“To me, he wants to complete within the high 10 within the championship and if not, I don’t suppose I can maintain him,” Kanaan mentioned.
“However not the consequence solely as a result of there’s some ways, like if he ran there (within the high 10), I do know if he is doing it and any individual hits you each race, what are you gonna do, proper?
“My job is, right here on the ground, we have to present him with the most effective individuals, the most effective alternatives, the most effective technique and likewise a dependable automobile that will by no means cease on a racetrack. Stroll into the store, it’s going to be a phrase: We don’t cease on a racetrack. Now, is that attainable? Yeah. Up till Nashville this yr, we accomplished essentially the most laps with Pato and Christian. That’s the aim.
“With that, I’ve completed my half,‘Nolan, you gotta do your half and I am right here that will help you, inform you all my secrets and techniques, something it’s essential know.’ And he is aware of that.
“He has the identical objectives. I’m like, ‘Initially, when you’re nervous in regards to the noise, that is the way in which you may change the noise. As a substitute of worrying about it and attempting to justify it with phrases, shut up and drive, and kick everyone’s ass.’”
And Kanaan understands the pressures that come on the driving aspect, having reached heights that included successful the 2013 Indianapolis 500 and the 2004 IndyCar title, but additionally being fired early right into a five-year deal.
“I am not telling you that it’s essential win the championship to have a job right here,” Kanaan mentioned. “I am not asking you to beat Pato or it’s essential beat Christian.
“It’s good to add to the group. And so as to add to the group, it is a group that should run within the high 10 this subsequent yr. The next yr, there is not any extra excuses. I am providing you with every little thing; we have to win.”
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