Following Tony Kanaan’s final NTT INDYCAR SERIES race in the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500, McLaren Racing today announces Tony’s role as special advisor with the Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team.
Tony, the 2004 series champion and 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner, brings a wealth of championship experience to the team to provide guidance and strategy for on-track and off-track advancement. In this new formalized role, Tony will travel with the team to races and tests, serving as a driver mentor while also working with the team’s commercial partnerships and business development.
With 17 career INDYCAR race wins, Tony not only brings winning experience and a championship mentality but also an enthusiasm and personality that matches the team environment at Arrow McLaren. Tony has unmatched success in sponsorship development and relationships in motorsport, which will help bridge the team’s commercial and competitive ambitions. In addition to his INDYCAR responsibilities, Tony will also be involved in McLaren Racing’s heritage program.
Tony joined Arrow McLaren in November 2022 to race his final Indy 500 as part of the team’s four-car lineup this past May. Since November, Tony has been an integral part of the team, traveling with Arrow McLaren to most of the races ahead of the Indy 500.
Tony Kanaan, Special Advisor, Arrow McLaren, said:
“I had said that I wasn’t going to leave racing or the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, so I’m very excited to join the Arrow McLaren team in this role. Zak and Gavin have a great vision for where this team is headed and what we can accomplish, so I look forward to helping us get there and making the team and the series even better. This team works hard and has a lot of fun. That’s what racing is about, and it’s why I love being part of the team.”
Gavin Ward, Racing Director, Arrow McLaren, said:
“Tony’s distinct skillset will help the team connect how we go racing to how we can make the most of our partnerships. As a championship driver, he does both incredibly well – delivering on track and locking in committed partnerships. He brings a champion mindset to what we’re doing – and that’s racing to win championships while having fun doing it. Having him on the team as a multifaceted resource in his advisor role is a big win for Arrow McLaren.”
Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, said:
“I’m thrilled to have Tony join Arrow McLaren and our McLaren Racing family in a more formalized capacity following his brilliant INDYCAR career. He’s a racer, and he knows how to win. Having him around our team and mentoring our drivers can only make us stronger contenders in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship.”
About McLaren Racing
McLaren Racing was founded by racing driver Bruce McLaren 60 years ago in 1963. The team entered its first Formula 1 race in 1966. McLaren has since won 20 Formula 1 world championships, 183 Formula 1 grands prix, the Indianapolis 500 three times, and the Le Mans 24 Hours at its first attempt.
McLaren Racing competes across five racing series. In 2023, the team will compete in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship with McLaren F1 drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES with Arrow McLaren drivers Pato O’Ward, Felix Rosenqvist and Alexander Rossi, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship with NEOM McLaren Formula E Team drivers René Rast and Jake Hughes, and the Extreme E Championship with NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team drivers Emma Gilmour and Tanner Foust.
The team also competes in the F1 Esports Pro Championship as McLaren Shadow, having won the 2022 Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships. McLaren is a champion for sustainability in the sport and a signatory to the UN Sports for Climate Action Commitment. It is committed to achieving net zero by 2040.
TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!
