After months of rumors, McLaren has officially announced that Alexander Rossi, formerly of Andretti, will be the team's driver for the 2023 Indy season
McLaren officially announced, on Thursday (2), the signing of American Alexander Rossi to a multi-year contract. The deal was already known behind the scenes at Indy, and the rumors had been going around since April. Andretti's announcement last Wednesday (1) that Kyle Kirkwood will be the driver of the #27 car in 2023 confirmed Rossi's departure and made it clear that his destination should be McLaren.
The 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner bids farewell to Andretti after seven seasons with 25 podiums and seven wins. Alexander even fought for the Indy title in 2018 and 2019, finishing second and third respectively. The American was not happy with the team and wanted a change of scenery in his career.
"First of all, I would like to thank everyone at Andretti for the amazing seven years. It was a great journey with a great team, and it was an honor to race for the Andretti name and for Michael for so long. It's time for a new challenge with a team that is growing in the sport. I look forward to contributing to McLaren's development and helping them get to the top. I see the commitment this team has to each other, and I am eager to get started. The time has come to race for another great name in motorsports, McLaren," Rossi declared.
At 30, Rossi comes to bring experience and complement the talent of Mexican Pato O'Ward, who recently signed a new contract at McLaren. After exploring his options, he believed in the team recently acquired by Zak Brown, who brought a great technical contribution and knowledge of Formula 1.
It remains to be seen who will be the driver of the third car after the team announces an expansion for 2023. Swedish driver Felix Rosenqvist has his future undefined and, according to the American website Racer, McLaren has its eye on Dutchman Rinus VeeKay, from Carpenter, to complete the team for next season.
The announcement of Rossi's hiring comes just before the Detroit GP, home of Chevrolet. Besides this Sunday's race (5) at Belle Isle Park street circuit, the American driver will have ten more races with Andretti in 2022.