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Christian Lundgaard Embraces New Challenges with Arrow McLaren in IndyCar Testing
Last week at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Christian Lundgaard took his first official steps with Arrow McLaren in the IndyCar Series. The testing day primarily revolved around forging connections with his new team and adapting to their operations rather than merely chasing fast lap times.
“It was a little bit of a mix from a run plan point of view,” Lundgaard shared with Autosport. “It was good to understand how they’re working as a team, and for us to cooperate on the No. 7 car and get used to each other. Obviously, we’re looking to gather more information for the month of May.”
At just 23 years of age, Lundgaard, who scored his initial IndyCar victory in Toronto in 2022, now finds himself behind the wheel of a car clad in the team’s striking papaya colors. This marks Lundgaard’s first stint with Arrow McLaren since being announced as part of their roster for the 2025 season earlier in July. Having spent the previous three years with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, he faced the challenge of adjusting to a new environment.
“The car has more natural pace than what I was previously used to,” he noted. “The balance feels familiar, but I didn’t expect handling to differ as much as it did. However, much of it aligned with my expectations, which is positive. The main goal was to familiarize ourselves with each other and the car.”
Among the adjustments Lundgaard faced, one stood out the most: the transition from the Honda-powered car he drove at RLL to the Chevrolet engine with Arrow McLaren.
“Getting accustomed to the new steering wheel was probably the most significant change for me,” Lundgaard admitted. “It required some time to adapt, but I managed to get the hang of it.”
While Arrow McLaren has not yet finalized its engineering team for the 2025 season, it’s noteworthy that Chris Lawrence was present in the timing stand, providing guidance to Lundgaard. Lawrence has been a key figure in the crew, having worked closely with drivers like Felix Rosenqvist and Alexander Rossi.
The off-season is keeping Lundgaard engaged as he travels frequently with the team, yet the recent test served as an essential foundation for future improvement ahead of the racing season, set to resume in March 2025.
“I want to spend considerable time with Chevy to stay informed about their procedures and nuances,” he emphasized. “There are basic elements that typically become second nature, but since I’m with a different team and engine manufacturer, it’s crucial to be aware of these aspects to ensure we get everything right.”
During this hybrid testing session at the 2.5-mile superspeedway, Lundgaard completed 88 laps, achieving a top speed of 219.566 mph. In contrast, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou set the day’s best time at 224.342 mph, establishing a benchmark for Lundgaard and Arrow McLaren to aim for as they progress through the off-season.
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www.autosport.com