Arrow McLaren’s team principal Tony Kanaan revealed in an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com that Nolan Siegel’s future with McLaren hinges on his performance in the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series season. If Siegel fails to break into the top 10 in the championship standings next year, Kanaan indicated that retaining him in McLaren’s three-car lineup for 2027 would be difficult. This statement places significant pressure on Siegel to elevate his results after a challenging run with the team.
Siegel’s tenure with McLaren since taking over the No. 6 Chevrolet from Theo Pourchaire in 2024 has not met expectations. After 26 starts, he has only reached the top 10 three times, with his best finish being seventh place. The 2025 season was notably difficult, marked by five DNFs and a DNS when a concussion sustained in a late Iowa Speedway crash prevented him from racing. Despite the mid-season pairing with experienced strategist Kyle Moyer, Siegel failed to notch any top 10 finishes in the final seven races. He ended the year stuck at 22nd out of 27 full-time drivers, lagging far behind teammates Pato O’Ward and Christian Lundgaard, who finished second and fifth respectively.
With McLaren’s high standards and sharp internal competition, the team is likely preparing contingency options. If Siegel falls short again in 2026, there are a handful of viable candidates McLaren could consider to strengthen their driver roster. Below are five realistic replacements who could step into Siegel’s seat, each bringing their own strengths and potential benefits to the team.
Rinus VeeKay as a Proven Mid-Tier Performer
Rinus VeeKay was once linked to top-tier seats, including potential roles with Chip Ganassi Racing and Arrow McLaren during the upheaval around Alex Palou’s contract in 2022. Although neither interest materialized, VeeKay continued to develop his skills with Ed Carpenter Racing from his rookie campaign in 2020 through 2024. His 2025 season with Dale Coyne Racing demonstrated notable performance, which earned him a contract with Juncos Hollinger Racing for 2026.
If VeeKay can deliver another strong showing with Juncos Hollinger Racing—considered a mid-tier team—McLaren’s leadership, including CEO Zak Brown, would be wise to revisit him as a potential acquisition. His consistent development and recent performance make him a credible candidate to fill the vacancy left by Siegel.
Marcus Ericsson in Search of a Fresh Start
Marcus Ericsson’s path to McLaren was complicated by the Palou saga and earlier moves. Initially, when McLaren presumed Palou would join them in 2024, they did not pursue others aggressively. Once Palou remained with Chip Ganassi Racing, Ericsson had already committed to Andretti Global. Meanwhile, David Malukas, another target, never got to race for McLaren due to injuries and eventually moved to Team Penske after a strong performance with A.J. Foyt Enterprises.
Ericsson enters the 2026 season in a contract year and may benefit from a new environment if his current performance plateaus. Known for being one of the most competitive drivers at the Indy 500 over the last four years, he remains a proven talent in high-pressure races. McLaren could find value in bringing Ericsson on board, especially if they seek a driver with experience and the ability to perform well at marquee events.
Mick Schumacher and His Formula 1 Pedigree
Before the Palou situation escalated, Zak Brown attempted to sign Scott Dixon from Chip Ganassi Racing but was rebuffed with a stern warning to focus on cultivating his own talent. Nonetheless, McLaren pursued and signed Oscar Piastri away from Alpine’s F1 team, indicating their willingness to be bold in driver recruitment. Mick Schumacher, currently competing for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in his first IndyCar season, could be next in line for a McLaren upgrade if he impresses.
McLaren’s success in acquiring Christian Lundgaard from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing suggests a proven path for enticing drivers from their rivals. Schumacher, with his two seasons’ experience in Formula 1 and additional test driver roles, is already familiar to McLaren’s leadership and could be seen as a promising talent deserving of a step up.
Christian Rasmussen’s Emerging Talent
Another Danish driver, Christian Rasmussen, has made notable strides in his rookie season with Ed Carpenter Racing. He secured his first career victory at the Milwaukee Mile in 2025, becoming the first rookie to do so since Christian Lundgaard in 2023. Rasmussen’s ascent is clear, highlighted by several other near wins and an aggressive race style that generally pays off without damaging consequences.
Given Rasmussen’s trajectory and racing acumen, McLaren would be well advised to keep him under close watch. Ed Carpenter Racing might face pressure to retain him with improved team results, but otherwise, he could become a coveted free agent. Rasmussen’s mix of bold moves and growing consistency make him an intriguing option to bolster McLaren’s driver lineup.
Josef Newgarden Could Bring Experience and Star Power
Zak Brown has a history of making headline-grabbing moves, and signing Josef Newgarden would certainly fit that mold. Despite some recent controversies and setbacks, Newgarden remains a formidable driver with two Indy 500 wins in his last three attempts and a total of 32 career victories. He last won a championship in 2019 and has not been Team Penske’s top points scorer since 2021, but his talent remains undeniable.
Newgarden’s challenges in recent years often stemmed from team issues rather than personal shortcomings, with incidents like the 2024 push-to-pass confusion and the controversial 2025 Indy 500 attenuator debacle attracting attention. His 2024 Indy 500 victory was also later clouded by a technical infraction discovered during the following year. Amid that noise, Newgarden’s credentials still place him among the top drivers in IndyCar history.
With Palou’s legal disputes behind McLaren and a budget likely available, pursuing Newgarden could provide both experience and leadership for the team. Furthermore, given the fluid situation at Team Penske—highlighted by the release of Juan Pablo Montoya a year after an Indy 500 win—Newgarden might consider a change of scenery, especially if a championship remains elusive in 2026.
Ultimately, McLaren’s decision on Nolan Siegel’s future will have significant implications for their IndyCar program. Should Siegel fail to meet the expected improvement, the team has several seasoned and promising candidates to consider, each capable of contributing to their pursuit of championships and race victories. The choices range from established veterans like Newgarden and Ericsson to rising stars such as Rasmussen and Schumacher, all fitting different strategic needs as McLaren aims to strengthen its lineup in the coming seasons.
