Arrow McLaren has announced a couple leadership position changes among members of its team, including a promotion for Tony Kanaan.
The longtime racer recently hung up his helmet following a farewell drive at this past year’s Indy 500, and taking on a Special Advisor role within Arrow McLaren.
Kanaan will now transition into a more formal position within the team’s management, and will become Sporting Director for the growing IndyCar program.
He will still work closely with drivers during race weekends, but will now also help to strengthen partner relationships and serve as a resource for the entire team on and off the track.
“My role as special advisor was really an opportunity for me to test the waters of being on the other side of a team—as a leader and no longer a driver,” said Kanaan.
“I was able to observe how the team is run, make suggestions on where we can improve and help out with the commercial side of the team.
“I found out pretty quickly that this side isn’t too bad. I really like it actually and thought I have more to contribute in the day-to-day, outside of just race weekends.
“I’m looking forward to this new role where I will be more engrained with the team, having unique experience to contribute and make Arrow McLaren even better.”
Included in the management announcement was a title change for Gavin Ward, who will transition from Racing Director to Team Principal.
The title better reflects the wide areas of responsibility Ward has been tasked with recently, and he will report directly to Zak Brown, McLaren Racing CEO.
Arrow McLaren’s drivers finished fourth, ninth, and 12th in the 2023 championship, and the team will look to climb even higher with the latest internal rearrangement.
