Tony Kanaan is back. We’ll see his smiling face around the NTT INDYCAR SERIES paddock a lot more again. No, not back like that.

Following Kanaan’s final race in the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500, McLaren Racing on Thursday announced that Kanaan will have a role as special advisor with the Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team.

“I had said that I wasn’t going to leave racing or the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, so I’m very excited to join the Arrow McLaren team in this role,” Kanaan said. “Zak (Brown) and Gavin (Ward) have a great vision for where this team is headed and what we can accomplish, so I look forward to helping us get there and making the team and the series even better. This team works hard and has a lot of fun. That’s what racing is about, and it’s why I love being part of the team.”

Kanaan, the 2004 series champion and 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner, brings a wealth of championship experience to the team to provide guidance and strategy for on-track and off-track advancement. In this new formalized role, the popular Brazilian driver will travel with the team to races and tests, serving as a driver mentor while also working with the team’s commercial partnerships and business development.

“Tony’s distinct skillset will help the team connect how we go racing to how we can make the most of our partnerships,” said Arrow McLaren Racing Director, Gavin Ward. “As a championship driver, he does both incredibly well – delivering on track and locking in committed partnerships.  He brings a champion mindset to what we’re doing – and that’s racing to win championships while having fun doing it. Having him on the team as a multifaceted resource in his advisor role is a big win for Arrow McLaren.”

With 17 career INDYCAR race wins, Kanaan not only brings winning experience and a championship mentality but also an enthusiasm and personality that matches the team environment at Arrow McLaren. Kanaan has unmatched success in sponsorship development and relationships in motorsport, which will help bridge the team’s commercial and competitive ambitions. In addition to his INDYCAR responsibilities, Tony will also be involved in McLaren Racing’s heritage program.

“I’m thrilled to have Tony join Arrow McLaren and our McLaren Racing family in a more formalized capacity following his brilliant INDYCAR career,” said Zak Brown, McLaren Racing, CEO. “He’s a racer, and he knows how to win. Having him around our team and mentoring our drivers can only make us stronger contenders in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship.”

Tony joined Arrow McLaren in November 2022 to race his final Indy 500 as part of the team’s four-car lineup this past May. Since November, Tony has been an integral part of the team, traveling with Arrow McLaren to most of the races ahead of the Indy 500.