David Malukas signs with AJ Foyt Racing for 2025

What a 2024 season for David Malukas! The one we nicknamed “Little Dave” lost his seat at Arrow McLaren at the start of the season due to injury, before even being able to take part in any papaya race. He has found refuge since the Laguna Seca event within Meyer Shank Racing, where he impresses alongside Felix Rosenqvist. Enough to make him one of the most interesting “free agents” of the moment, and it is therefore with the legend ofIndyCar AJ Foyt (seven titles, four victories at the Indy 500) that he will continue his rise in the championship of car American.

“I am very excited to have the opportunity to join AJ Foyt Racing”, Malukas said. “The history and success of AJ Foyt Racing and AJ Foyt himself were key factors in my decision to join the team. Everyone knows AJ is a legend and he's someone whose name I always heard growing up. Having the opportunity to work alongside him and drive for his team is very special. I'm starting a new chapter in my IndyCar career and I'm looking forward to achieving good results with AJ Foyt Racing. »

A seat at Penske in the future?

Accustomed to the rear of the peloton, AJ Foyt's team is reviving this season, since Santino Ferrucci is currently in tenth position in the championship. An unexpected position for a team which had its last success in the category in 2013, thanks to Takuma Sato in the streets of Long Beach. This turnaround is partly due to the technical partnership established last year with Team Penske. If the members of the Texan team explain that they carry out the majority of the work, and only benefit from Penske in "support", a good part of the paddock considers Ferrucci's car as a fourth Penske, which obviously makes it a seat of choice for a driver wishing to progress in the hierarchy.

The announcement of Malukas' recruitment does not say which seat he should slide into next year. Ferrucci is currently driving the #14 car, while Sting Ray Robb is in the #41. The latter finances the season of his single-seater, and it is not yet certain that the team will be able to do without his services in 2025. It therefore remains to be seen if Malukas would replace Ferrucci, or if AJ Foyt will manage to align his two young shoots , who would undeniably make an excellent driver duo. With his sights set on a place within the legendary Team Penske in the years to come, a driver like Will Power being closer to the end of his career than the beginning, for example…

The departure of Malukas also frees up a coveted seat, that of the No. 66 of Meyer Shank Racing. A pilot like Alexander Red, whose replacement by Christian Lundgaard at Arrow McLaren next year has been announced, could find refuge in the team of Mike Shank and Jim Meyer.

ALSO READ > Zane Maloney enjoyed his IndyCar test