MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Tony Kanaan is the latest big-name driver to join the Arrow McLaren SP lineup.
The 2013 Indianapolis 500 winning driver and 2004 NTT IndyCar Series champion was named to a fourth entry for the Indy 500 at AMSP on Tuesday morning.
Also, after a long and fairly successful term with Chip Ganassi Racing, NTT DATA has signed a multi-year agreement to join Arrow McLaren SP.
The company will sponsor Felix Rosenqvist for 10 races as well as Kanaan’s entry in the 107th Indianapolis 500 on May 28.
“I feel extremely lucky to get another shot racing in the Indy 500,” said the 47-year-old Kanaan. “I’m excited to work with Pato, Felix and Alexander and race with the Arrow McLaren SP team. My biggest battle in last year’s race was against these three drivers so working with them and driving with them will be exciting for all of us.”
In the 106th Indianapolis 500 on May 29, Kanaan drove the No. 1 American Legion Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing and was in contention all the way to the checkered flag for the victory. He finished third behind Pato O’Ward and his then CGR teammate and Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson.
Rosenqvist is reunited with the company that sponsored his first two season in the NTT IndyCar Series with Chip Ganassi Racing.
The NTT DATA brand will be represented on Rosenqvist’s fire suit and team kit throughout the 2023 season.
“I look forward to representing NTT DATA once again,” Rosenqvist said. “They’re a great partner and are committed to the series. I welcome them to the McLaren Racing family and am ready to start the season off in St. Petersburg, racing the No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet. It will also be great to race alongside Tony and learn from him as we prepare for the Indy 500.”
It’s another big move for McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who has expanded his IndyCar team to three full-time entries in 2023 with the addition of 100th Indianapolis 500 winner Alexander Rossi.
“NTT DATA joining our great group of partners is a huge boost for Arrow McLaren SP,” Brown said. “I’m thrilled they will be representing our No. 6 car as a lead partner and a major sponsor for our fourth entry in the Indy 500, piloted by Tony Kanaan.
“Tony proved last year he can compete with the best of them, and I’m excited to see him put on a show with our team next May.”
This will be the first year the Arrow McLaren SP team is led by Racing Director Gavin Ward. He replaced Taylor Kiel last month.
NTT DATA’s parent company NTT has been the title sponsor of the NTT IndyCar Series since 2019 and is committed to delivering innovation and advancing technology through its partnerships.
“We welcome the opportunity to partner with McLaren, a long-term and valued client, and to demonstrate how sponsorships simultaneously build awareness and enhance business-to-business relationships,” said Bob Pryor, CEO of NTT DATA Services. “NTT DATA is also proud of the NTT IndyCar Series’ growth with a strong international stable of drivers, great leadership from Penske Entertainment, and a passionate fan base attracted to the highly competitive product – where any driver can win in any weekend.”
With the announcement, Arrow McLaren SP now has the drivers that finished second (Pato O’Ward), third (Kanaan), fourth (Felix Rosenqvist) and fifth (Alexander Rossi) in the 106th Indianapolis 500. The only driver out of the top five that isn’t part of AMSP is the winner, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Marcus Ericsson.