Arrow McLaren‘s team principal, Tony Kanaan, stated in a recent offseason interview that third-year driver Nolan Siegel must substantially improve his performance in the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series season to remain with McLaren’s three-car lineup for 2027. Specifically, Kanaan emphasized that Siegel needs to secure a position within the top 10 in the championship standings to justify retention, signaling a potential end to Siegel’s current tenure if progress is insufficient.
Since joining McLaren midway through the 2024 season, Siegel has struggled to meet expectations. Over 26 starts, he has achieved only three top-10 finishes, with a best result of seventh place, and his 2025 campaign was marred by five DNFs and a DNS due to a concussion suffered shortly before the Iowa Speedway race. Despite pairing with race strategist Kyle Moyer midseason, Siegel failed to secure a single top-10 finish in his last seven starts and ended the year 22nd out of 27 full-time drivers in the championship. His teammates Pato O’Ward and Christian Lundgaard finished second and fifth, respectively, increasing the pressure on Siegel to deliver.
Potential McLaren Driver Replacements for 2027
Should Siegel fail to demonstrate marked improvement in 2026, McLaren will likely explore alternative candidates to fill the third driver seat. Here are five plausible replacements McLaren could consider.
Rinus VeeKay’s Rising Profile Presenting a Viable Option
Previously linked with both Chip Ganassi Racing and Arrow McLaren during the 2022 Alex Palou transfer saga, Rinus VeeKay has spent most of his career with Ed Carpenter Racing since his 2020 rookie season. His recent move to Dale Coyne Racing ahead of the 2025 season resulted in a strong year and paved the way for a contract with Juncos Hollinger Racing in 2026. If VeeKay continues to impress in a mid-level team, McLaren’s CEO Zak Brown might be inclined to offer him another opportunity, recognizing his growing potential.
Marcus Ericsson Could Be Looking for a New Challenge
Marcus Ericsson signed with Andretti Global after the Palou deal with McLaren fell through, forcing Brown to seek other options for his team’s lineup. Ericsson enters the 2026 season in the final year of his contract and may be receptive to changing teams if his results do not improve. Known for his strong performances at the Indy 500 over the past four years, Ericsson remains one of the series’ elite drivers in that marquee event. His experience and racecraft could make him an attractive candidate for McLaren if they want a seasoned competitor.
Mick Schumacher’s Potential Leap to McLaren
McLaren’s attempt to acquire Scott Dixon from Chip Ganassi Racing was met with resistance, with Ganassi warning against talent poaching from top teams. However, McLaren Formula 1’s acquisition of Oscar Piastri demonstrated their willingness to boldly secure emerging talent. If Mick Schumacher shines in his rookie IndyCar season with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, McLaren could expedite his transition into their lineup. Given McLaren’s familiarity with Schumacher from his two seasons in Formula 1 and test driving roles, he is a realistic candidate for future recruitment.
Christian Rasmussen’s Emergence as a Rising Star
Danish driver Christian Rasmussen, who captured his first career victory at the Milwaukee Mile in 2025 racing for Ed Carpenter Racing, exhibits a clear upward trajectory. This win marked Ed Carpenter Racing’s first oval victory since 2016. Rasmussen’s aggressive yet calculated style has earned him respect and attention, making him a potential target for McLaren’s driver search. If his current team does not strengthen its position to retain him, Rasmussen may become a highly sought-after free agent for 2027 and beyond.
Josef Newgarden’s Experience and Controversy
McLaren’s Zak Brown has never hesitated to pursue marquee signings, and acquiring Josef Newgarden would align with that strategy. Despite recent controversies and losing the Team Penske internal top spot since 2021, Newgarden has won two of the last three Indy 500s and holds a record of 32 race wins and two championships. However, his career in the past few years has been punctuated by multiple incidents — including the 2024 push-to-pass scandal and 2025’s attenuator issues — that were largely related to team decisions. As his contract nears renewal, Newgarden could consider a fresh start particularly now that the Palou lawsuit saga is behind McLaren, potentially freeing up the necessary resources.
Notably, Team Penske’s history shows that decisions to release top drivers can come unexpectedly, exemplified by Juan Pablo Montoya’s departure a year after winning the Indy 500 and tying for the points lead. While Newgarden currently maintains his position, a mutual parting of ways is conceivable if a better fit elsewhere presents itself.
Siegel’s Future Hinges on 2026 Performance
Nolan Siegel’s place at McLaren is increasingly uncertain as the 2026 season approaches. The significant statistical disparity between Siegel’s results and those of his teammates Pato O’Ward and Christian Lundgaard places him under intense scrutiny. With Tony Kanaan publicly outlining expectations for top-10 championship contention, McLaren signals a demand for greater competitiveness from its drivers.
The prospect of recruiting established stars like Newgarden or rising contenders such as VeeKay, Schumacher, Rasmussen, or Ericsson reflects McLaren’s strategic approach to securing a driver lineup capable of delivering victories and strong championship results. How Siegel answers the call next season will likely determine whether he retains his seat or if McLaren opts for a shake-up to bolster their position in the IndyCar Series.
