Malukas was introduced in on the conclusion of the 2023 IndyCar season, signed to exchange Felix Rosenqvist within the workforce’s No. 6 Chevrolet after the fallout from the Alex Palou contract drama.
However a mountain biking accident in February dealt accidents that led to surgical procedure on the left wrist of Malukas, which has left him unavailable for race weekends or testing since.
Arrow McLaren has since leaned closely on Callum Ilott, who can be contesting the FIA World Endurance Championship with Group Jota. Ilott has taken half in a number of checks with the workforce whereas additionally substituting for Malukas for St. Petersburg and the non-points occasion at The Thermal Membership.
As a consequence of a battle with the WEC schedule, Ilott handed off the duties for Lengthy Seaside – a race Malukas was initially considered able to return for – to reigning Method 2 champion Theo Pourchaire.
Pourchaire mentioned on Friday that he was contracted “to drive for the following two races, to exchange David” which might additionally embody subsequent weekend’s spherical at Barber Motorsports Park. He did later backpedal to notice that his position for the latter occasion relies on Malukas’ well being.
In an unique roundtable interview on Saturday afternoon – by which solely Autosport, the Related Press, Indianapolis Star and NBC Sports activities had been current – workforce chief Zak Brown and Ward supplied the newest replace on Malukas.
“The workforce has been very supportive of David, and it has been actually an unlucky state of affairs,” Ward mentioned. “Extra unlucky is that his accidents are rather more critical than we thought initially.
“So, a giant a part of our focus has been on attempting to assist him in each manner we are able to on his restoration, but additionally, we have been spending an terrible lot of time right here to verify we have now aggressive drivers in that No. 6 automotive.
“Sadly, it is simply loads of uncertainty proper now. We have got Theo in there; he is doing a great job in troublesome circumstances.”
Theo Pourchaire, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
Photograph by: Josh Tons / Motorsport Images
Ward went on to notice Ilott “did a great job” and the way “the silver lining is a few nice expertise” that he can name upon.
When requested about balancing the well being of Malukas versus do what’s greatest for the way forward for the workforce, with the notion this setback might permit the workforce to maneuver on, Ward mentioned: “We’re having to make troublesome choices and I believe there’s an excessive amount of uncertainty to invest.
“We’re doing our greatest to attempt to care for him. We bought all of the rehab and physio and assist we are able to, however on the finish of the day, we have to additionally take care of the efficiency of the workforce.”
When additional pressed to declare parting methods being a risk, Ward said: “We don’t know.”
Brown then confirmed that Malukas nonetheless has a forged on his arm and that the pins are anticipated to be taken out this week.
“The reality is the uncertainty,” conceded Ward. “Sadly, it is a important damage with an unclear restoration proper now. Cannot actually say yay or nay.”
Tony Kanaan, Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
Photograph by: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Images
With uncertainty over Malukas for the month of Might, Autosport inquired what the contingency plan can be; if that would come with Ilott returning to run the Indy 500 or pulling Sporting Director Tony Kanaan out of retirement or calling on a veteran corresponding to J.R. Hildebrand.
That was shortly adopted by one other outlet then chiming in on Kanaan’s position and the way it aids what shall be a four-car workforce with the addition of 2021 NASCAR Cup Sequence champion Kyle Larson, who’s making his Indy 500 debut.
“There’s that and Tony provides the worth to all 4 automobiles by not being targeted on himself, however he is actually somebody [to look at],” Brown mentioned.
“I believe we have got loads of totally different situations that we’re working by means of.”