Tony Kanaan, Arrow McLaren team principal, has voiced his astonishment after several former Team Penske staff, including Kyle Moyer, moved to his organization following a recent technical rules controversy. The shift in personnel comes as Team Penske released key members in May after violations were uncovered at the Indianapolis 500, placing attention on how experienced figures like Moyer will impact Arrow McLaren’s operations. This event highlights the focus keyword: Team Penske staff joins Arrow McLaren.
Arrow McLaren Welcomes Former Team Penske Leaders After Major Shakeup
In a significant change triggered by Team Penske’s response to a rule breach at the Indianapolis 500, the organization parted with several crucial team figures, among them past general manager Kyle Moyer. Only weeks after his exit, Moyer was appointed as Arrow McLaren’s director of competition and was designated to act as race strategist for Nolan Siegel, starting with the testing session at Iowa Speedway. This move brings a wealth of experience and provides Arrow McLaren with unique insights from someone so closely involved in the sport’s upper echelons.
Kanaan’s reaction to the addition was candid and reflected both his personal connection and professional respect for Moyer. During an interview with Bruce Martin from Forbes, the Brazilian champion discussed the dynamic history the two share, especially recalling their successful collaboration in 2004 at Andretti Green Racing, where Kanaan secured the IndyCar Series title under Moyer’s management. He remarked:
“Talk about how our history together, it’s unbelievable. Everything that I won, that guy was in my car. So that wasn’t something that I was expecting to have. And honestly, I’m pretty happy about it. It’s pretty good to see.”
—Tony Kanaan, Arrow McLaren team principal
The partnership between Kanaan and Moyer began when Moyer served as a team manager at Andretti Green Racing, supporting Kanaan’s championship ambitions. Now, almost two decades later, both figures reunite at Arrow McLaren as the team aims to strengthen its competitive edge amid dynamic shifts within the IndyCar circuit.
Kanaan, who joined Arrow McLaren in 2025 as team principal after his roles as special advisor and deputy principal, stands as a recognized figure in the racing world. Having secured his own IndyCar Series championship in 2004 followed by a memorable Indianapolis 500 win in 2005, the Brazilian driver still influences the field after retiring from driving in 2023.
Arrow McLaren’s Synergy with McLaren Formula One: Data Sharing on a Global Scale
Tony Kanaan has also spoken about the deep level of cooperation between the Arrow McLaren IndyCar team and their Formula One counterpart. Following McLaren’s triumphant Constructors’ Championship win in 2024, Kanaan was asked if the F1 team supports its IndyCar sibling with technical resources and data. His answer highlighted a 24/7 exchange that spans software and engineering expertise, with both sides working closely to enhance performance.
“24 hours a day. (We exchange) software, fuel software, simulator… car simulator for the drivers, and engineering. There are many things that we have in a regulation, armored. But (because) they (F1) have an open regulation, we use experience and manufacture of some parts that they do it in two days. Here we don’t manufacture anything because Indy has more limitations. You purchase from the company that sells the parts, and the things you make, it is not worth having machines to manufacture. For example, three anti-roll bars – we import those and we are lucky to have the guys in Europe who send us what we need.”
—Tony Kanaan, Arrow McLaren team principal
The McLaren Formula One team clinched its first Constructors’ Championship in 26 years during the 2024 season and currently maintains its lead in the present campaign. The steady collaboration between two leading racing outfits illustrates how top-level experience and open information channels can influence progress in technology-driven competitions like IndyCar and F1.
The Significance of Strategic Hirings and Global Partnerships at Arrow McLaren
The hiring of former Team Penske staff, coupled with a robust partnership with the McLaren Formula One team, marks a transformational period for Arrow McLaren. Tony Kanaan’s surprise and optimism about welcoming a trusted collaborator like Kyle Moyer underscore the team’s ambitions for stronger race strategies and deeper technical insights. Continued data exchange with McLaren F1 and the addition of experienced individuals positions Arrow McLaren for increased competitiveness, suggesting that shifts from this controversy could have lasting effects on performance and collaboration across the IndyCar landscape.
