Tony Kanaan Named Team Principal Of Arrow McLaren

Source: James Black/Penske Entertainment / other

INDIANAPOLIS — In a move that many were expecting to happen, Arrow McLaren has chosen Tony Kanaan as their new Team Principal.

Kanaan, who won the 2013 Indianapolis 500, has served in an advisory and emergency driver role for the team for the last two seasons. Kanaan takes over the position after Arrow McLaren and previous Team Principal Gavin Ward parted ways at the end of last season.

“A lot has happened since my last Indy 500 less than two years ago, to say the least,” Kanann said. “I’ve embraced every opportunity to grow with the team and I’m excited to officially step into the Team Principal role, and having Kevin join to take on the business side of our team is part of our winning strategy. We’re always looking for good people and talent to make the team stronger, and he and I will work well together.”

Kanaan retired from full-time driver at the start of the decade and then drove a couple of one-off opportunities with Ganassi and Arrow McLaren in IndyCar. Though he is the man in charge of Arrow McLaren now, he remains in driver-ready shape.

He was the emergency driver last year when Kyle Larson attempted The Double if Larson chose to leave the ‘500’ early to get to Charlotte for the Coke 600.

“Under Tony’s leadership, the team has been moving forward quickly, and he and Kevin will work well together to keep that positive momentum up,” said McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown. “Our sights are set on how we stabilize and grow strategically while competing at the top.”

Arrow McLaren will compete this season with Pato O’Ward, Nolan Siegel, and Christian Lundgaard in their stable. The team has won seven races since coming into the series full-time in 2020. All those wins have been with O’Ward.