Christian Lundgaard Proud of His First Season with Arrow McLaren: ‘It’s the Foundation For a 2026 IndyCar Title Bid
Let’s get one thing straight: Christian Lundgaard isn’t just happy to be here. After a rollercoaster first season with Arrow McLaren, the Danish driver is already talking about a 2026 championship. Yeah, you read that right. Not next year, but the year after. It’s the kind of bold, slightly audacious proclamation that makes you either roll your eyes or lean in closer. Is it confidence or just youthful optimism? Honestly, it’s probably a bit of both.
His 2024 Campaign
Lundgaard’s 2024 campaign was, by any measure, a success. He snagged six podiums and ended up fifth in the championship standings. For a driver in his first year with a new, high-pressure team, that’s nothing to sneeze at. He came out of the gate swinging, landing on the podium in three of the first four races and briefly sitting second in the points. It looked like he was ready to challenge for the title right then and there.
But IndyCar has a way of humbling even the most talented drivers. A mid-season slump saw him slip down the order, a stark reminder that consistency is king in this series. Still, he managed to pull it together, capping the year with a career-best performance at the Indianapolis 500, starting eighth and finishing seventh. Not a win, but a solid brick in the foundation he’s so focused on building.
The Art Of the Long Game
So, why 2026? Why not 2025? It’s a question that’s been floating around the paddock. Lundgaard’s answer is surprisingly pragmatic. He sees 2024 as the year he learned the ropes at McLaren, 2025 as the year he masters the ovals, and 2026 as the year he puts it all together for a legitimate title run. It’s a calculated, almost unnervingly patient approach in a sport that’s all about speed and immediate results.
“This year was about building a foundation,” Lundgaard has said. And you have to admit, the foundation looks pretty solid. He’s praised the structure at Arrow McLaren, highlighting how a well-oiled machine behind the scenes translates to performance on the track. It seems he’s found a home, a place where he feels the entire team is pulling in the same direction. That’s half the battle in motorsport.
But let’s be real for a second. Talking about a championship two years down the road is a bold move. It puts a target on your back. It also sets expectations sky-high. If he doesn’t deliver, the critics will be out in full force. But maybe that’s the point. Maybe Lundgaard thrives on that pressure.
Can Lundgaard Conquer the Ovals?
The elephant in the room, and the one Lundgaard himself has pointed to, is his performance on ovals. It’s the final piece of the puzzle. You can’t win an IndyCar championship without being a threat on the big speedways, and he knows it. His focus for 2025 is clear: figure out how to be as fast on the ovals as he is on the road and street courses.
If he can do that, his 2026 plan suddenly looks a lot less like a far-fetched dream and a lot more like a calculated strategy. The talent is there. The speed is there. The team is there. Now, it’s about execution and mastering a discipline that has humbled countless talented drivers before him.
So, as we look ahead to the 2025 season, all eyes will be on car number 6. Every lap on an oval will be scrutinized, every result analyzed. Is he making progress? Is the plan on track? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure: Christian Lundgaard has made his intentions clear, and it’s going to be fascinating to watch him try to turn his 2026 vision into a reality. No pressure, kid.
