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What was supposed to be a breakout season for IndyCar driver David Malukas has turned into a nightmare after he was released by the Arrow McLaren on Monday.
Malukas signed for McLaren in the offseason but suffered a broken wrist in a mountain bike accident just before the start of the season.
He missed each of the first four races of the season and on Monday, the team announced it had parted ways with the young driver.
Arrow McLaren announces the team has released David Malukas for the remainder of the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.
Full team statement:
— Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team (@ArrowMcLaren) April 29, 2024
“Arrow McLaren today announced that the team has released David Malukas for the remainder of the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season due to him being unavailable for the entirety of the season to date, with no confirmed return date, as a result of a left wrist injury, which occurred February 11, in a mountain biking incident,” a team statement read.
Malukas put out a statement as well.
Statement from David Malukas:#INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/dv05zMYWjH
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) April 29, 2024
“I’ve done everything possible to speed up the rehab process—treatments, physiotherapy, strength training—but my recovery has taken longer than anticipated,” it read. “Every injury is different, and every body heals at a different pace. I’ll turn my full attention to getting back to 100 percent and then prove that I am ready and able to compete to win.”
Fans Slam Arrow McLaren For Cutting Ties With David Malukas
Despite the statement from Malukas, fans came down hard on Arrow McLaren, who they believe treated the driver unfairly.
McLaren is an absolute JOKE when it comes to giving up on drivers
> Hinchcliffe rejected other offers thinking he's getting extended
> Askew was fired whilst recovering from a concussion
> Rosenqvist was told to go to Formula E
> Malukas is gone before he even drove the car https://t.co/7OZulo5RSF pic.twitter.com/N4Ntuq8Ch8— Fifth Gear (@NotFifthGear) April 29, 2024
All the Lil’ Dave supporters right now (including me) https://t.co/fBJnMHxLWA pic.twitter.com/Y46oG3yz88
— Nikki (@IndyCarNinja) April 29, 2024
This is one of the worst ways I have ever seen a team treat a driver. Sacking Malukas after he got a serious injury in preseason and never even got to drive for them is just a terrible way to treat him.
I really hope David lands on his feet. He's good enough to drive a top car. https://t.co/vBxtmA1oeu
— Danny (@DannyBrennan72) April 29, 2024
McLaren did not name a full-time replacement for Malukas. But former Formula 2 runner-up Callum Illot and F2 champion Theo Pourchaire both drove for the team in his absence.
Meanwhile, NASCAR star Kyle Larson is set to join the team at the end of May. Though that is set to be for a one-off appearance in the Indianapolis 500.
McLaren signed Malukas after it failed to land series champion Alex Palou. Palou remained with Chip Ganassi Racing following a contract dispute that wound up in court.