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Get to know Arrow McLAREN's newest driver David Malukas

“What can I say, I love the papaya, the people, the content, the community – from the fans, to the team”

Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team logo

Buckle in, team. Let’s get to know David Malukas, the new driver of the No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet.

Bright-eyed and prepared to hit the ground running with his new team, David Malukas is ready to fully embrace the papaya. He’s just as exciting off track as he is behind the wheel of a race car, so we sat down with the young Arrow McLaren driver to ask him all the hard-hitting questions you’re eager to know. It’s a fun read, we promise.

Could you talk us through your history climbing through the ranks to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES?

"I went through the entire ladder – from USF2000 to USF Pro 2000 to Indy NXT to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. We went through all of the ranks, and actually started halfway through the USF2000 season because we were also doing Formula 4 during the same year.

"We started USF2000 with a brand-new, single-car team named BN Racing at the time, and we had a lot of people come over from all different parts of Europe and America trying to make a Road to Indy team. We did half a season of USF2000 and our results were up and down, but the team wasn’t really solidified until we joined USF Pro 2000.

"There, we had some successes and victories – I think we ended up sweeping Road America that season – but we were a brand-new team still and everything felt very new to us. We struggled, but once we went to Indy NXT, BN Racing became HMD Motorsports, and although it took multiple years, we found even more success. We ended up getting second in the 2021 Indy NXT championship, having a very close competition with Kyle Kirkwood. It was a great battle and we both ended up getting a seat in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

"From there, I did my two seasons with Dayle Coyne Racing, and now we are here with Arrow McLaren."

David Malukas

What have you learned through your first two years in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES?

"Oh boy, I’ve learned so much. Going through the Road to Indy ladder prepares you for this series, but there are still so many things that are new. You’re going from roughly 45-minute races to nearly two hours. You have to learn about pit stops, fuel-saving and tire strategy.

"It was definitely a tough rookie year learning so many new things, but towards the end we started figuring it out and moving forward. Dayle Coyne Racing did an amazing job giving me the right environment for my first two seasons in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES."

What enticed you about this opportunity with Arrow McLaren and McLaren Racing?

"I mean, how could you not be enticed? Everyone wants to go to Arrow McLaren. There’s so much history in McLaren Racing, it’s a huge name. I grew up watching F1, and it felt like every child’s dream to one day be racing for McLaren. It wasn’t too hard of a decision once the opportunity came up.

"What can I say, I love the papaya, the people, the content, the community – from the fans, to the team. Arrow McLaren and McLaren Racing’s entire plan is to make sure they win. They aim to be competitive and push everything to the edge to get great results. That’s an environment I want to be a part of, because I share the same views and values."

“Sometimes if the race is going well, I like to sing”

David Malukas
David Malukas

Arrow McLaren IndyCar Driver

How will you practice eliminating “orange” from your vocabulary and start saying “papaya”?

"Well, it hasn’t been too bad for me so far! I’ve only said “orange” once, and that was in my first interview as a member of the team. But since then I’ve been on the papaya trend. Mornings and nights, before going to bed and as soon as I wake up, I repeat “payaya, papaya, papaya,” so now it’s engrained in my memory. I’m already on it, papaya is the way to go."

What are your favorite tracks on the schedule? Why do you prefer those?

"Gateway, of course. It’s a track I’ve had so much success on. From the Road to Indy to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES itself, we’ve just had really great results there. I think every time we’ve been there, we’ve left with a podium. So that has to take the top spot for me.

"Then, Road America. Another track that’s quite local to me. It’s a track that I grew up with, and my dad used to race there in the Corvette when I was little. I have a very strong connection to both Road America and Gateway.

"You can also add Laguna Seca because of the famous corkscrew. And it’s also in California, which is very nice all around."

David Malukas - Arrow McLaren IndyCar

What excites you about the McLaren brand?

"It’s the community that surrounds it. Everyone knows about the McLaren brand and when you see McLaren on the street, it has its own meaning to it. To be a part of such a powerhouse brand is what entices me.

"There’s obviously a lot more to it, but growing up watching McLaren, it has always been something I’ve dreamed of, so why wouldn’t I be excited about the McLaren brand? It’s all very cool and super exciting!"

What is something you say on the radio often? Any quirks we may pick up on? How vocal are you?

"I’m not very vocal on the radio. Honestly, there isn’t anything specific I say on the radio, apart from the normal sayings, like “Box,” “Pit,” “Coming in.” As for quirks, sometimes if the race is going well, I like to sing. I tend to make a few jokes here and there. And maybe if there’s an on-track battle with another driver, I might say some good one-liners.

"I highly recommend listening to the radio, it’s quiet most of the time, but there’s definitely some good quotes that can come out of me. Actually, maybe don’t - don’t listen to the radio!"

David Malukas - Arrow McLaren IndyCar

Are you up for a round of “This or That”?

Coffee vs. Tea:

That’s a tough one, I thoroughly enjoy both and this answer always changes throughout the year, depending on how I’m feeling. But, for right now, coffee.

Morning vs. Night:

Oh, definitely morning. I am not a night person, I’m in bed by 9 p.m.

Beach vs. Mountains:

That’s also a tough one! I’ll say mountains.

Winter vs. Spring vs. Summer vs. Fall 

Fall easily takes the crown.

Calls vs. Texts:

Texts. I’m Gen-Z.

Breakfast vs. Dinner:

Probably breakfast. But if you’re saying breakfast for dinner, specifically Reese’s Puffs cereal, then 100% dinner.

Takeout vs. Dine-In:

Takeout. I’m very extroverted when I’m out and about, but when I’m home, I’m an introvert. So, I would definitely pick takeout and just eat at home.

Book vs. Movie:

Ah, it depends on the series. Books are always going to be better because they include more detail. But Dune, for instance, was so visually stunning as a movie. So, very tough. I’ll go with book, because of the details.

Hotel vs. Motorcoach 

Motorcoach all the way.

David Malukas

How about some quick-fire answers?

Favorite TV show: Peaky Blinders 

Favorite movie: Interstellar  

Favorite video game: Hearts of Iron IV 

Favorite meal: Reese’s Puff cereal 

Favorite breakfast: Full English Breakfast (his first answer was Reece’s Puff cereal, again) 

Go-to snack: A protein bar 

One food thing you crave: Oreos 

Favorite outdoor activity: Pickleball 

How often do you work out: Six days a week 

Favorite sport: Soccer and mountain biking  

Least favorite sport: American football 

Favorite city to visit: London 

Bucket list vacation spot: Japan 

Favorite candy: Ferrero Rocher 

Favorite color: Papaya. It radiates off me, I love it.  

Pet-peeve: Chewing with your mouth open 

Bucket-list item: Go sky diving 

Favorite animal: Lion 

One random fact people probably don’t know about you: I used to do ballroom dancing. 

Favorite subject in school: History, specifically anything to do with empires.

Want to get to know David even more? Be sure to follow Arrow McLaren on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok ahead of the 2024 season for more engaging content on and off track.