Ward, Kanaan get new job titles at Arrow McLaren

Arrow McLaren racing director Gavin Ward, who leads the entirety of the team’s three-car NTT IndyCar Series program, has received a new job title of Team Principal to better reflect his role.

The Canadian, who won the 2019 IndyCar championship as race engineer to Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden, took charge of the team in 2023 and relies on IndyCar veteran Brian Barnhart to serve as General Manager and look after “the business operations and administration of the team as General Manager, including strategic partnerships and special projects,” according to the team.

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“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.”

IndyCar champion and Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan has also received a change in title.

“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,” said Kanaan, the team’s new Sporting Director. “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 ingrained with the team, having unique experience to contribute and make Arrow McLaren even better.”

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