The 2025 IndyCar Series season has kicked off with remarkable momentum for Christian Lundgaard, a rising star for Arrow McLaren. In the initial five races, he has already achieved podium finishes three times, placing him in third position in the championship standings—just three points shy of Kyle Kirkwood, while Alex Palou holds a commanding lead in the rankings.
Lundgaard has referred to his start as a “rocket start to the season.” This fourth-year IndyCar competitor is expressing confidence in his ability to vie for his first championship title in 2025, despite facing a substantial 100-point deficit behind Palou. “The #10 car [Palou] has amassed a significant number of points, but they can lose them just as quickly,” the 23-year-old Danish driver remarked in an interview. He emphasized the unpredictability of racing, stating, “They can’t win every weekend, no matter how it looks right now. Our focus must remain on what we can control.”
Lundgaard is fully aware that the championship battle will become clearer as the season progresses. “I think it’s important not to get too wrapped up in the performance of the #10 car. We need to run our own races and concentrate on our own season. By the end of the year, we’ll know who we are competing with, but I always believe that there’s a chance,” he stated confidently.
Reflecting on his unexpected success, Lundgaard admitted, “If someone had told me six months ago that I would be in this position, I don’t think any of us would have believed it. We were hopeful but not necessarily expecting this outcome. It feels great to finally be recognized for the hard work we’ve put in, especially coming from a challenging few years.”
Before joining Arrow McLaren in 2025, Lundgaard dedicated three seasons to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, where he secured three podium finishes, including a victory at Toronto in 2023. It’s notable that in just five races with Arrow McLaren, he has matched his previous total of podium finishes.
He elaborated on his transition to the new team, saying, “In the initial weeks, adapting to the car was a bit of a challenge—not exactly a struggle, but definitely a shift. The first couple of weekends were all about finding a clear direction to make me feel more comfortable. When you have muscle memory built from past experiences and suddenly switch to a different setup, it takes time to adjust.”
Now, Lundgaard feels at ease with the car and its handling dynamics, which he finds more to his liking. He also shared insights about his relationship with his teammate, Pato O’Ward, and the importance of collaboration within the team. Lundgaard stated, “Coming into a team often associated with Pato, we had a conversation about our roles early on. We recognized our shared speed and agreed to push each other while also working toward the team’s success.”
He emphasized the value of their partnership, noting that mistakes made by one driver could be compensated for by the other. “We’ve proven to be a strong duo. Some weekends I’m quicker, and other weekends he is. This dynamic pushes us to perform at our best,” he explained.
In addition to O’Ward, Lundgaard is also mentoring their younger teammate, Nolan Siegel, who became a full-time driver in the #6 car during the ninth round of the previous season. “Nolan is absorbing a lot from us,” Lundgaard remarked. “He has immense potential and, at just 20 years old, he’s still learning. I have no doubt he will develop into a fast and competitive driver in the future.”
As the Indianapolis 500 approaches, Lundgaard expressed a calm demeanor, stating, “I’m feeling relaxed. Whatever happens this weekend will happen, and my focus is on enjoying the experience, learning as much as I can, and letting the results unfold.” He acknowledged the historical strength of McLaren cars at the Indy 500 and expressed determination to deliver a strong performance.
Looking ahead with Arrow McLaren, Lundgaard conveyed gratitude for the team’s faith in his abilities. “They believed in my potential, and I think we’ve already demonstrated that our partnership was the right choice. I don’t foresee weekends where we completely falter. From a consistency standpoint, I believe we’ll be competitive every race weekend.”
Lundgaard highlighted the straightforward and effective approach taken by the team, stating, “Simplicity is key. We don’t allow external pressures to affect us; we simply go with the flow. This mentality has been beneficial so far, and I don’t see any reason for it to change in the near future.”
In summary, Christian Lundgaard’s promising start to the 2025 IndyCar Series showcases not only his talent but also his adaptability and collaborative spirit within the Arrow McLaren team. As he continues to build on his early successes, the racing world will undoubtedly keep a close watch on his progress and potential as the season unfolds.
