McLaren has released David Malukas from his contract to race for them after he failed to participate in the first three rounds of the IndyCar championship.
Malukas injured his right wrist in a cycling accident three months ago. The team originally hoped he would be able to return to the cockpit after the season-opening round in St Petersburg on March 10th.“The past three months have been challenging,” he admitted. “I felt privileged to have had the opportunity to drive for Arrow McLaren and regret that it never materialised.
“I would have loved to have continued representing the team and its partners going forward. They have been good, and I appreciate all they have done for me.”
He was due to start his third season in IndyCar with McLaren. “I’ve done everything possible to speed up the rehab process,” said Malukas. “Treatments, physiotherapy, strength training. But my recovery has taken longer than anticipated.
“Every injury is different, and every body heals at a different pace. I’ll turn my full attention to getting back to 100 percent and then prove that I am ready and able to compete to win.”
McLaren signed Malukas from Coyne at the end of last year when Alex Palou decided not to join the team this year.
Former Juncos Hollinger IndyCar driver Callum Ilott originally took over Malukas’ seat in St Petersburg and the non-championship event at The Thermal Club. As he was unable to drive in Long Beach due to a clashing World Endurance Championship round, Theo Pourchaire took over for that race and last weekend’s round at Barber Motorsports Park.
McLaren is yet to confirm who will take over their their seat alongside Pato O’Ward and Alexander Rossi. The team said in a statement they are “finalising driver assignments for the remainder of the 2024 season and will announce confirmations for upcoming races in due course.”
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Retired (@jeff1s)
29th April 2024, 15:15
Interesting development there. He went from Mclaren driver to Athlete in his social platforms yesterday.
Ilott or Pourchaire?
Asd
29th April 2024, 15:20
I wasnt really impressed with Pourchaire. To me, jumping from an F2 to and IndyCar should be very natural and enable you to fully express your skills quickly.
I expected more from an F2 champion.
Don
29th April 2024, 15:43
The Indycar field is very deep, and the car is faster and much harder to drive than an F2 car. Pourchaire has said so in interviews, along with other drivers making the same move. McLaren should sign him, but he’s not going to be an instant race winner.
Radoye
29th April 2024, 17:53
IndyCar is a very different beast compared to an F2 car, much more physical with no power steering. It takes some getting used to, as many F2 graduates found out when making the switch to IndyCar. Also, Long Beach and Barber aren’t exactly the easiest racetracks to pick up on a short notice without any previous testing experience there.
All in all, Theo did reasonably well considering the circumstances. With some more time in the car he’d do good.
Matt (@hollidog)
29th April 2024, 20:40
F2 also has no power steering
Yaru (@yaru)
29th April 2024, 20:41
Depends on the sports, MLB contracts are guerenteed even through injury.
Also big difference between getting injured on the job and doing it doing recreation activities like mountain biking.
isthatglock21
29th April 2024, 15:49
Hmm almost brutal compared to how sporting contracts work in the other sports when it comes to injuries. Very harsh, but also very American. Bloke probably had to pay his own medical costs too, yikes.
Yaru (@yaru)
29th April 2024, 20:42
Depends on the sports, MLB contracts are guerenteed even through injury.
Also big difference between getting injured on the job and it happening in recreation activities like mountain biking.
Nick T.
29th April 2024, 22:53
Most contracts in America are guaranteed, but don’t let your comical hatred for America get in the way.
Don
30th April 2024, 15:20
If he would have been injured in the car I would assume the team would be covering his bills. Unknown if McLaren would have been paying his medical bills (sounds like they were) since he got hurt biking on his own time.
John Beak (@johnbeak)
29th April 2024, 17:51
It’s Askew all over again.
DonSmee (@david-beau)
30th April 2024, 9:13
Foolish man. Why go 110% in cycling when it’s just exercise.