Scott Dixon leaving Ganassi for McLaren confirmed
The six-time IndyCar champion is set to end his 25-year Ganassi story and join Arrow McLaren in 2027, triggering a chain reaction across the paddock.
Scott Dixon leaving Ganassi for McLaren is the biggest story in IndyCar right now. The Kiwi’s planned move to Arrow McLaren has turned IndyCar’s silly season on its head. After 25 remarkable years with one team, the sport’s greatest active driver is ready to try something new.
Scott Dixon leaving Ganassi for McLaren: what we know
The six-time champion and greatest IndyCar driver of his generation is set to complete his 25th and last season with Ganassi in 2026, and move to Arrow McLaren as the biggest signing in the team’s history.
According to reports, a meeting has taken place between Dixon and Chip Ganassi in which Dixon told the team owner he wanted to leave. He has since wound down communication with Ganassi on anything beyond race day matters with his No. 9 Honda.
Arrow McLaren has reportedly made little effort to hide its excitement internally, with multiple people at the team said to be telling others that Dixon is signed and on his way. Still, it is important to note that nothing official has been offered by the teams, and Dixon has not publicly stated his intentions.
Dixon won series titles at Ganassi in 2003, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2018 and 2020, and the Indianapolis 500 in 2008. He holds the most wins of any active driver with 59 and set the all-time record for series starts in 2025.
A move that shakes motorsport history
To understand how big this is, think about the greatest driver-team pairings in motorsport. Racing-related moves that fit the Dixon-to-McLaren model include Lewis Hamilton departing Mercedes for Ferrari after 12 seasons and six world titles. You can read more about how big transfers shake up the paddock in our look at Zak Brown shutting down Verstappen–McLaren talk.
At 45 years old, Dixon has the record on tenure, a full quarter century with Ganassi, which makes the decision to race with another team in the twilight of his career such a mind-blowing concept to process.
There is also a personal angle to the Arrow McLaren move. The move will reunite Dixon with one of his favorite partners in Felix Rosenqvist, at the team led by Tony Kanaan, who was one of Dixon’s other favorite Ganassi teammates, and Scott Harner, Arrow McLaren’s director of race operations, who was a team manager on Dixon’s No. 9 Ganassi car for many of its championships.
The ripple effect across IndyCar’s driver market
With Dixon and Rosenqvist headed to McLaren to join Pato O’Ward, the two drivers set to lose their seats are Christian Lundgaard and Nolan Siegel. Lundgaard, 24, is the highest-ranked McLaren driver in the IndyCar standings this year after winning two races, including Road America. Siegel, 21, was in his third year driving for McLaren.
As for who would replace Dixon at Ganassi, there are reports of a straight swap between the New Zealander and McLaren star Christian Lundgaard. The availability of Lundgaard might be too tempting for Chip Ganassi to pass on, especially because it would be a great way to stick it to Arrow McLaren’s Zak Brown when Lundgaard starts winning races in his car.
Multiple sources also indicate that Andretti Global has given 2025 Indy NXT champion Dennis Hauger permission to seek a new deal with other teams after the season is over in the No. 19 DCR Honda. You can follow young IndyCar talent with our piece on Fittipaldi’s top run at the Milwaukee Mile test.
What does this mean for Dixon’s legacy?
Despite a record six titles to his name, Dixon has been in the shadow of Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Alex Palou in recent years, with the Spaniard having won three of the last four titles and leading the 2026 standings with four victories already.
A fresh challenge with a new team at 45 years old? That takes real courage. And if Tom Brady could win a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers, maybe Dixon can add a seventh title in papaya colours.
Scott Dixon leaving Ganassi for McLaren: what happens next
Eight races remain in the 2026 season. Dixon will finish the year in Ganassi colours before the most dramatic switch in IndyCar history becomes official. An O’Ward, Dixon and Rosenqvist line-up would be a costly exercise for McLaren, but a line-up like that would make it an absolute powerhouse against series giants Ganassi and Penske.
For the very latest official IndyCar news and standings, visit IndyCar’s official website. This story is developing fast, so stay with us at rnt-motorsports.com for every update.
