Arrow McLaren workforce principal Tony Kanaan desires to get via 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 last 12 months of their present contract with the workforce. Siegel’s standing has already been well-publicized, with Kanaan telling in December the California native, who joined the workforce midseason in 2024, wanted to “end within the high 10 within the championship and if not, I don’t assume I can preserve him.”
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Siegel, 21, is coming off a strongest results of the season final weekend within the Grand Prix of Lengthy Seaside, 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 via the opening 5 rounds.
A straight ahead approachNolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren, Zak Brown
Nolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren, Zak Brown
Throughout final weekend’s race at Lengthy Seaside, Kanaan took half in a roundtable with choose media, together with , to debate how he plans on dealing with the contract state of affairs.
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“Me being on their facet, I mentioned to them (Lundgaard and Siegel) I do not need them to undergo or fear about something till, I’d say as normal, 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 instructed 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 maintain itself.
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“I mentioned, ‘If one in all 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 occupied with that proper now. I believe we’ve got to concentrate on even getting the outcomes that we’re not getting after which to judge. Then the problem is, I’ve at all times 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 am going to have a look at my choices. I am making an attempt additionally to maintain myself centered on concentrating on giving these guys the most effective.”
Lundgaard on the riseChristian Lundgaard, Arrow McLaren
Christian Lundgaard, Arrow McLaren
Kanaan, who confessed he “can’t conceal something” and is “dangerous at faking,” did admit that Lundgaard’s performances may drive his hand as rival groups could be eager to steal away his providers.
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“If Christian retains driving the best way he drove at Barber, I do not assume I have to reply something; I believe I’ll have to really signal him faster earlier than someone else provides him one thing else,” Kanaan mentioned.
“However on the similar time, I’ve acquired to be good about what’s on the market and what the workforce wants for, not the quick time period however the long run. Proper now, I am not sad with none of them. The outcomes usually are not there for a lot of causes, however I am extra sensible in saying concentrate on what we have to do after which by June you guys will learn about it as a result of I’ll discuss it, for certain. And nothing that they will not learn about it, both, earlier than I speak to you guys.”
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