Arrow McLaren has announced that David Malukas will be completing the team’s IndyCar lineup for the 2024 season.
Malukas will slot in alongside Alexander Rossi and Pato O’Ward, and will become the youngest driver in McLaren’s three-car full season effort.
The young American driver rose through the ranks of the IndyCar’s feeder series, including two years racing in what is now known as Indy NXT in 2019 and 2021.
He has spent the last two seasons racing for Dale Coyne Racing with HMD Motorsports, but publicly stated that he would be racing elsewhere at the midpoint of the season.
McLaren’s announcement gives him a home for his third season in IndyCar, and also gives him top-notch machinery that he hopes he can use to show his potential.
“I can’t wait to race in papaya next season,” said Malukas. “Arrow McLaren has been a threat to the top contenders all season long, and I’m excited to join the team and see what their Chevrolets can do.
“Pato [O’Ward] and Alexander [Rossi] both know what it takes to win, so it will be fun racing alongside them and learning from them as well.”
The 21-year-old has earned two podiums in his young IndyCar career, with both coming at World Wide Technology Raceway while racing for DCR.
He has earned six top 10 finishes this season, however, and appears to be gaining more confidence with each race that goes by.
Malukas also finished second in the 2021 Indy Lights championship before joining the top series, losing out to Kyle Kirkwood by just 13 points.
He will be taking over the ride that has been held by Felix Rosenqvist in recent seasons, with the Swede recently announcing he would be driving for Meyer Shank Racing next year.
“David is an up and comer in the NTT IndyCar Series,” said McLaren CEO Zak Brown. “And based on what we’ve seen from him so far in his first two seasons, I’m confident there’s a lot of talent we can extract from him through the resources we have at Arrow McLaren.
“Beyond what he can do on a racetrack, he’s got a great personality and we’re excited to welcome him to the McLaren Racing family.”
Malukas will begin working with his new team in the offseason, ahead of his debut in papaya colors in early 2024.
