LONG BEACH, Calif. — A new driver and a new partner will join Arrow McLaren’s IndyCar team for this weekend’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Théo Pourchaire will race the No. 6 onsemi Arrow McLaren Chevy as David Malukas continues to recover from a left wrist injury and surgery. The team also announced the addition of HOKA as a team partner and will hit the streets of Long Beach outfitted with the running shoe brand for its team’s race weekend footwear.
Through the new relationship, HOKA becomes the official athletic footwear provider of the Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team and will have a branding presence across all Arrow McLaren Chevrolet race cars through the NTT IndyCar Series season, including Kyle Larson’s No. 17 Chevy at the 108th Indianapolis 500.
Behind the wheel, Pourchaire will make his IndyCar Series debut this weekend after he won the 2023 FIA Formula 2 Championship. He had two wins, 10 podiums and led the French-based ART Grand Prix to its first Formula 2 title.
Pourchaire is the youngest driver to win races in both Formula 3, when he drove to victory at Austria in 2020 as a 16-year-old. He also won a Formula 2 race at Monaco in 2021 when he was 17.
In addition to his championship, Pourchaire was runner up in the series in 2022 and finished fifth in 2021.
Pourchaire also clinched a second-place finish in his sole FIA Formula 3 Championship campaign in 2020, after winning titles in the ADAC Formula 4 Championship and French F4 Junior Championship in 2019 and 2018, respectively.
This year, Pourchaire has served as a test and reserve driver for the Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber.
“This is an amazing opportunity to drive with such a legendary team in a legendary motorsport series like the NTT IndyCar Series,” Pourchaire said. “I’ve watched IndyCar since I was a young kid, and the racing is incredible.
“I was thrilled to get the call from the team. I’m grateful that Zak (Brown, McLaren Racing CEO), Gavin (Ward, Team Principal) and Tony (Kanaan, Arrow McLaren Sporting Director) thought of me for this opportunity and for the team at Sauber to allow me to get on track at Long Beach.
“I am also sorry that the opportunity came as David continues to recover. It’s not going to be an easy task, but I’m ready for it.”
The 20-year-old is from Grasse, France.
“It’s a shame that David’s recovery is longer than we all originally anticipated,” Ward said. “He’s been working with our team trainer very closely with what rehab and strength exercises are possible at this point, and the team’s been doing a great job in the meantime to work together through the changes they’ve had since his injury.
“Theo may be an unexpected driver in the NTT IndyCar Series paddock this season, but we’re excited to see what he can do on the track in Long Beach and are thankful for Sauber in working with us to make it happen.
“He has a strong resume, especially for his young age, and he’s eager to work with us and put his driving to the test this weekend.”