After Felix Rosenqvist’s departure from the team’s No. 6 Chevrolet following the Alex Palou contract controversy, David Malukas was brought in at the conclusion of the 2023 IndyCar season. However, a mountain biking accident in February resulted in significant injuries to Malukas, necessitating surgery on his left wrist and rendering him unavailable for race weekends or testing since then.
In Malukas’s absence, Arrow McLaren turned to Callum Ilott, who has been juggling responsibilities in both IndyCar and the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) with Team Jota. Ilott participated in numerous tests and substituted for Malukas in races like St. Petersburg and The Thermal Club’s non-points event.
The conflicting schedules between the WEC and IndyCar led Ilott to pass the duties for the Long Beach race to reigning Formula 2 champion Theo Pourchaire. Pourchaire clarified that he was contracted for the next two races to replace Malukas, but his role in subsequent events depends on Malukas’s recovery.
During an exclusive roundtable interview, team chief Zak Brown and others provided updates on Malukas’s condition. Ward acknowledged the seriousness of Malukas’s injuries and the uncertainty surrounding his recovery while emphasizing the team’s support for him.
Despite the challenges, Ward praised the talents of Ilott and Pourchaire, highlighting the positive aspects amid the difficult circumstances. However, questions arose about balancing Malukas’s health with the team’s performance and future prospects, with Ward admitting to the difficulty of making decisions amid uncertainty.
Brown confirmed that Malukas still wears a cast, with pins expected to be removed soon. Ward reiterated the uncertainty surrounding Malukas’s recovery and expressed the team’s dilemma in making decisions regarding his future with the team.
Amid the uncertainty over Malukas’s availability, discussions revolved around contingency plans, including the potential return of Ilott for the Indy 500 or involving Sporting Director Tony Kanaan or experienced drivers like J.R. Hildebrand. Brown mentioned exploring various scenarios to address the evolving situation.
