Recent developments in IndyCar have drawn attention to Team Penske’s future plans for David Malukas, as speculation rises about his potential move to the team in 2026. Malukas, who currently competes for A.J. Foyt Racing, has been the subject of swirling rumors hinting at a secret agreement with Team Penske, raising questions about how the team will proceed as veteran driver Will Power nears the end of his contract with the Mooresville-based squad.
At just twenty-three, Malukas pilots the #4 car for A.J. Foyt Racing, supported by Chevrolet. This season, whispers around the paddock have grown louder regarding Malukas allegedly signing with Team Penske for a future seat. Observers see Penske’s role as not only providing technical backing but also as deliberately positioning Malukas to help him develop before integrating him fully in 2026.
Penske and Foyt Strengthen Ties as Malukas Evolves
The ongoing technical alliance between A.J. Foyt Racing and Team Penske, formed in 2023, has laid the foundation for deeper collaboration. This partnership permits Penske to assess Malukas’s growth while sheltering him from immediate pressure as a prospective successor to Will Power. Such a nurturing approach is seen as instrumental in cultivating the talent Penske seeks for its roster.
IndyCar analyst Marshall Pruett shared his insights, stating:
“Malukas is already signed with Penske. He’s racing under the Foyt umbrella, but it’s Penske equipment, Penske engineering — this is all part of a bigger plan.”
—Marshall Pruett, IndyCar Insider
Despite significant speculation, neither Malukas, Team Penske, nor A.J. Foyt Racing have officially confirmed the reports about a future move.
Malukas Delivers Notable Results Early in the Season
David Malukas has shown promising performances as the 2025 season begins. In the Firestone Grand Prix of St Petersburg, he qualified in seventeenth place and climbed to a thirteenth-place finish. He continued to show progress at the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix, advancing from twentieth on the grid to finish sixteenth.
The turning point came at the 109th Indianapolis 500, where Malukas achieved his first top ten qualifying result, starting seventh and finishing in second place, earning his first podium finish of the year. These results underscore his resilience and ability to adapt, fueling further anticipation regarding his future prospects with Team Penske.
Malukas Reflects on Career and Overcoming Adversity
David Malukas’s journey has not been without difficulty. Before settling into his current role at A.J. Foyt Racing, Malukas signed a multi-year contract with Arrow McLaren, but a biking accident abruptly halted that chapter. Following recovery, he briefly participated with Meyer Shank Racing as a substitute for Tom Blomqvist before inking a multi-year deal with A.J. Foyt Racing starting in 2025.
Looking back on his 2024 season with candor, Malukas reflected on the challenges and personal growth that have shaped him. He said:
“I mean, 2024 was a rough year to start, but looking back at it now, I think it was probably the best year for me with everything that I had to deal with with the hand and all these different scenarios. I think mentally for me, it was a year of maturity. I mean, I changed from the driver I was back then to now.”
—David Malukas, IndyCar Driver
“I mean, it’s night and day. I don’t think I could be doing the performances and driving the way I am, you know, in the beginning of 2024. So everything happens for a reason, you know, and we came out of it, I think, on top,”
—David Malukas, IndyCar Driver
Currently, Malukas holds eleventh place in the drivers’ championship standings with 126 points, surpassing his tally from the latter part of last season with Meyer Shank Racing, where he earned 148 points over ten races.
The Road Ahead for Malukas and Team Penske
With Team Penske future plans for David Malukas increasingly under scrutiny, the young driver’s steady progress and adaptability will likely remain a focal point throughout the season. The ongoing alliance between Penske and A.J. Foyt Racing positions Malukas for further development and evaluation as speculation about a potential seat in 2026 lingers. Fans and industry insiders alike will be watching closely to see how Malukas advances, and whether the anticipated move to Team Penske will be officially confirmed in the coming months.
