Alexander Rossi on Thursday confirmed that he has signed a multi-year deal to drive for Arrow McLaren SP starting next season after seven years running with Andretti Autosport.
Rossi’s departure has been widely rumored since April, although both the American driver and Michael Andretti insist they have an exclusive negotiating window where Rossi cannot even speak to any team. any other.
It contradicts Andretti’s February admission that he will keep Rossi on that provision “unless he finds something else.” Rossi, it turns out, decided to leave Andretti even before the IndyCar season started, and Thursday’s confirmation came as Andretti announced a day earlier that Kyle Kirkwood will take Rossi’s 27th place next season.
Rossi won seven races with Andretti, including the Indianapolis 500 as a rookie in 2016. The Californian driver hasn’t won since 2019.
“The time has come for a new challenge, with a growing team in the sport,” Rossi said in a statement. “I look forward to contributing to the development of Arrow McLaren SP and helping them reach the top. I see this team as committed to each other and to me, and I look forward to getting started. It’s time for me to race for a new one. of motorsport’s biggest names: McLaren.”
Rossi and Taylor Kiel, the president of McLaren’s IndyCar team, are expected to discuss the signing on Friday at the Detroit Grand Prix. McLaren has taken over majority ownership of the IndyCar team this season and plans to expand to three cars and build a state-of-the-art facility in Indiana, simulating their Formula One factory in the UK.
Pato O’Ward was informed of an extension on Friday with McLaren, but plans for its third seat are yet to be revealed. McLaren didn’t say whether Rossi will drive his planned third car expansion in 2023 or instead Felix Rosenqvist in 7th place. Rosenqvist is on a one-year contract.
“Alex is a proven race winner and Indianapolis 500 champion who shares our desire to win,” said Zak Brown, head of McLaren Racing. head of McLaren Racing said. “It is essential that we put the right talent in the right places, both inside and outside the car, so that we can continuously compete for championships and win races as a race car driver. team. He’s someone we’ve had our eyes on for a while and we’re excited to see what he’ll do as part of the Arrow McLaren SP.”
