Arrow McLaren boss sets firm ultimatum for Nolan Siegel to retain IndyCar seat after 2026

Arrow McLaren driver Nolan Siegel had a difficult first full season with the Papaya squad in 2025 and only managed 22nd in the championship despite having a car capable of winning races, as showcased by Pato O'Ward and Christian Lundgaard. Tony Kanaan recently came out with an ultimatum for the American to retain the seat after the 2026 season

Nolan Siegel signed with Arrow McLaren midway through the 2024 season as Theo Pourchaire’s replacement after racing as a part-time entry for Dale Coyne Racing and Juncos Hollinger Racing earlier that season. The 2024 performance with McLaren was nothing to write home about as Siegel finished 23rd in the championship, with his best result being P7 at Gateway.

In the early parts of the 2025 season, Christian Lundgaard showed great pace, stood on the podium, and was P2 in the championship at one point. Later in the season, Pato O'Ward showcased his pace in the Arrow McLaren, won a handful of races, and finished the season as the runner-up.

NTT INDYCAR Series BITNILE.com Grand Prix of Portland - Source: Getty

Nolan Siegel, on the other hand, only managed two Top 10 finishes this season. McLaren Team Principal Tony Kanaan recently came out and reflected on the youngster’s performance, and gave Siegel an ultimatum to secure his seat with the three-year contract signed in 2024 coming to an end after the 2026 IndyCar season.

“To me, he needs to finish in the top 10 in the championship and if not, I don’t think I can keep him. But not the result only because there's many ways, like if he ran there (in the top 10), I know if he's doing it and somebody hits you every race, what are you gonna do, right?” added the Arrow McLaren Team Principal “I'm not telling you that you need to win the championship to have a job here. I'm not asking you to beat Pato or you need to beat Christian. You need to add to the team. And to add to the team, this is a team that needs to run in the top 10 this next year. The following year, there's no more excuses. I'm giving you everything; we need to win,” added Kanaan

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“I’ve done my part”: Tony Kanaan on doing his part to give Nolan Siegel the best chance

NTT INDYCAR Series Sukup Race Weekend - Source: Getty

Pato O'Ward and Christian Lundgaard only retired once in the 2025 season. Tony Kanaan came out and detailed how the team gave the drivers a car that was competitive and reliable. The Team Principal explained how he did his part, and that it's now on Nolan Siegel to do his. He said,

“My job is, here on the floor, we need to provide him with the best people, the best opportunities, the best strategy and also a reliable car that would never stop on a racetrack. Walk into the shop, it’s going to be a phrase: We do not stop on a racetrack.”

Detailing how O'Ward and Lundgaard completed the most laps until the double DNF at Nashville, Kanaan added

“With that, I’ve done my part,‘Nolan, you gotta do your part and I'm here to help you, tell you all my secrets, anything you need to know.’ And he knows that.”

While both Pato O'Ward and Christian Lundgaard finished Top 5 in the standings, Nolan Siegel failed to make the Top 20.

Edited by Pranay Bhagi