Update: Arrow McLaren announced earlier this week that Scott Dixon and Felix Rosenqvist will join the team next season, as rumoured.
Fans may need a program to determine who is driving for what team in the NTT INDYCAR series in 2027. That’s because Silly Season has started off much earlier than normal with the announcement that Felix Rosenqvist, the winner of the 110th Indianapolis 500, will not return to Meyer Shank Racing. Just a week later, an even bigger announcement sent shock waves through the paddock that Scott Dixon would not be returning to Chip Ganassi Racing.
Rosenqvist had not yet been offered a contract renewal when he captured his second-career victory at the 500 (first win was at Road America in 2020 in his second season driving for Chip Ganassi Racing), turning him into a hot commodity on the driver’s market. He’s rumoured to be moving to Arrow McLaren as a teammate to Pato O’Ward (who served as best man at his wedding). Rosenqvist competed for Ganassi in 2019 and 2020, was at Arrow McLaren from 2021 to 2023, and at Meyer Shank Racing since 2024.
“It’s unfortunate that Felix has decided to move on from MSR at the end of the season, particularly given everything we’ve accomplished together, including this year’s Indy 500 victory,” stated the team’s June 24 news release. “Over the past several years, Felix has played an important role in helping build this program into what it is today, and we’re grateful for his contributions both on and off the track.”
Dixon, who’s amassed 59 wins and 27 poles in his career, is rumoured to also be moving to McLaren, a team founded by fellow New Zealander Bruce McLaren. While there has yet to be an official announcement, when O’Ward was asked if he had any influence on who his teammates would be, he answered, “I voice my opinion but I don’t really make those decisions. Dixon is the GOAT and Felix is the reigning 500 champ, so I’m not shocked in the interest to have them as teammates.”
Chip Ganassi Racing released a carefully-worded statement reading, “Scott Dixon has recently informed the team that he will not be returning in 2027. Scott has meant so much to CGR over the past 24 years. Together we’ve shared championships, many victories, and countless moments that have helped define this organization. Because of everything we’ve accomplished together, and the legacy Scott has built here, we believed it was important to give him the opportunity to finish his career at Chip Ganassi Racing. We made him a multi-year offer and respect that he’s chosen a different path. We wish him nothing but continued success. Scott will always be a special part of this team’s history, and we’re grateful for everything we’ve accomplished together.”
Drivers’ contracts are kept confidential and contain a lot more details than just money, including key personnel, dedicated equipment, and various benefits. Negotiations can take months and usually do. In recent years, two well-funded teams upset the driver compensation equilibrium when O’Ward at McLaren and Colton Herta at Andretti Global were said to be offered US $5 Million or higher a season, more than double what some top drivers were receiving.
In Dixon’s case, he turns 46-years-old this month and may have opportunities beyond open-wheel racing, such as McLaren’s sports car program, extending his racing career well into his 50s.
“It was not an easy decision, which goes back over the last six months,” revealed Dixon. “This group is like family. I love racing in INDYCAR. I love the team, Mike (Hull – his strategist) and Chip (team owner), everybody there.”
Arrow McLaren could become a super team with a driver line-up of O’Ward, Rosenqvist and Dixon. The age range spans three decades with a driver in his twenties, thirties and forties, respectively. And just maybe that combination can finally beat Alex Palou.
Where does that leave Arrow McLaren driver Christian Lundgaard after his most recent win at Road America, where he fell to last place due to contact on the start before coming from behind to win? He’s currently third in the title fight, the highest-ranked driver on the team. Nolan Siegel, who was asked to achieve top-ten status to return, has already been notified his services won’t be needed in 2027 (currently ranked 20th with an average finish of 16.8 after 11 races, including two top-ten finishes).
It’s very unlikely that Arrow McLaren would run a fourth car because of the 25 team-owned charters that provide for a guaranteed starting spot on the grid. Chevy and Honda will each have one charter starting in 2028, which brings the total guaranteed grid to 27, the maximum grid size possible.
“I’m focused on winning this weekend,” declared Lundgaard, before starting on pole and finishing second at Mid-Ohio, his fifth podium (two wins) this season. “I was hired to win races. I still have a job to do and I am fulfilling my commitment.”
Asked if he thought Lundgaard could return to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Graham Rahal answered, “Christian would be the best available if he goes back on the market. And, he could be very beneficial to RLL from his experience with a different team.”
For Chip Ganassi Racing, how will the loss of Dixon (and Rosenqvist through the Ganassi – Meyer Shank technical alliance) affect the success of Palou? That question won’t be answered until next season. Currently, Palou is leading the title fight with 404 points (56 points ahead of second-place Kyle Kirkwood) and on his way to a fifth championship.
“It’s sad because of what Dixon has done for the team over 25 years, for everybody at Chip Ganassi Racing,” explained Palou. “I know I would not be here today without him and the results I’ve had. It was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. Scott has been an incredible teammate, from being able to see how a six-time champion works – at the shop, at the track, how he communicates with the team, how he brakes, everything. It’s just part of life and the sport. I wish him the best, honestly. I’m going to try and keep on learning as much as I can throughout the races that we still have. I’m sure the next drivers that will be sharing with him are going to be very lucky.”
There are some drivers with contracts that continue through the 2027 season, such as the three Penske drivers, at least two of three Andretti drivers, Ed Carpenter Racing’s two drivers, and two or three of the Rahal drivers. Meyer Shank Racing extended Marcus Armstrong’s contract the day after Dixon’s departure was announced. That leaves potentially 12 uncontracted seats among the ten teams, which has never happened before.
Marcus Ericsson was thought not to return to Andretti Global but has improved this season. The Swede stated, “Don’t believe everything you hear.” Should he remain at Andretti, that may put Dennis Hauger as odd man out, the 2025 INDY NXT champion (awarded US $850,000), who Andretti has supported while at Dale Coyne Racing, where he is leading the Rookie of the Year competition. Hauger could just find the driver market very crowded.
“I feel like this year has just been filled with potential,” said Hauger. “We’ve had some issues here and there but at times we’ve had some really good pace. Overall, I’m really happy with the season so far. I’ve learned so much. Just thinking, my mindset in race one, how little I actually knew in terms of race experience, and how much I know now, is just a confidence boost for me.”
Asked about his future plans, the Norwegian answered, “I don’t know yet. It’s still pretty open across the grid. I know when I have a good car, I’m capable of winning races. We have to look at what opportunities I get, whether that’s with Dale Coyne another year, Andretti, or if it’s somewhere else.”
Fans will benefit as they could see a lot of on-track fireworks as drivers try to impress their current or potential future team owners in hopes of getting offers for 2027.
Discussion about this post