INDIANAPOLIS — It may be the offseason but it’s a perfect time for Arrow McLaren Racing to announce several evolutionary organizational changes to streamline operations. Gavin Ward’s title is changing from Racing Director to Team Principal. Ward came over from Josef Newgarden’s pit box a couple of seasons ago and has grown to a team leader. The team feels to better reflect Ward’s overarching responsibility of the Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team, reporting to Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing.

“Last year at this time, the team went through significant changes and growth, and we had to move fast to recruit and stay ahead of preparation for the upcoming season,” Ward said. “We’ve used the last several months as an opportunity to observe our ways of working—where we’re strong and where we need to be better. I’m excited for these changes. This team has great characters and a ton of talent, and this is all about leaning into people’s strengths and allowing the team to run fast and effectively.”

Brian Barnhart, who joined the team last year as General Manager, will report to the Team Principal overseeing the business operations and administration of the team, including strategic partnerships and special projects.

Tony Kanaan’s title is also changing from Special Advisor to Sporting Director, joining the existing leadership team to have a more present role beyond race weekends. In this role, Tony will work closely with the drivers, help build and strengthen partner relationships and serve as a resource for the team to stay performance focused in its day-to-day work.

“My role as special advisor was really an opportunity for me to test the waters of being on the other side of a team—as a leader and no longer a driver. I was able to observe how the team is run, make suggestions on where we can improve and help out with the commercial side of the team. I found out pretty quickly that this side isn’t too bad. I really like it actually and thought I have more to contribute in the day-to-day, outside of just race weekends. I’m looking forward to this new role where I’ll be more engrained with the team, having unique experience to contribute and make Arrow McLaren even better.”

The team, which grew by 40% last offseason, will be in its second year under Gavin’s leadership for the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. They’re also setup for the longhaul too.

With Lando Norris shining and Oscar Piastri finding his footing as a rookie, the McLaren F1 team has a bright future. Norris is just 23. Piastri is only 22. If McLaren can keep the vulchers like Red Bull, Mercedes or Ferrari away from Norris, they’re set up for the future overseas.

Here stateside, they have Alexander Rossi locked in. He’s about to be 32. He has no interest in heading back to F1 so he’s set. Pato O’Ward is only 24. Even if the F1 dream never comes to fruition, I don’t think it’s a secret that he’s on the verge of being a star here.

Now you get 21-year-old David Malukas and the announcement last month. So long as these three perform and the cars keep getting more and more better, this NTT INDYCAR SERIES program has a 5-10 year runway ahead of strength.

“When we look at our driver lineup with Pato O’Ward and Alexander Rossi, it’s a fierce lineup of experience and youthfulness. I’m excited to go racing next year with David, Alex and Pato,” Zak Brown said in Laguna Seca.

“Looking at the trio of drivers, what we’re trying to build with Gavin and the addition of Brian Barnhart joining the team. Having Tony, I’ve always been a fan of former champions as part of a racing team. I think we’re building something to be a formidable competitor not just in ’24 but beyond.”

Which means they’re also now set up for the now and the future. If the F1 side does so well it gets 1 or even both of Norris and Piastri taken elsewhere, O’Ward and Malukas are easy targets to replace them. If they replace them, it means they did well here. If they did well here, they have quality rides other young stars will want to come to.

Which is why this pipeline is strengthening and a much better scenario.