IndyCar News: Arrow McLaren Confirms Alexander Rossi Replacement After Thumb Injury

Saajan Jogia | Jul 20, 2024

Apr 20, 2024; Long Beach, California, USA; Arrow McLaren driver Theo Pourchaire (6) of France during qualifying at Long Beach Street Circuit. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Arrow McLaren driver Alexander Rossi will be replaced by Theo Pourchaire for the upcoming Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto this weekend, following Rossi's injury. Rossi fractured his right thumb when his car collided with the tire barrier during Friday's practice at Exhibition Place.

During the final stages of opening practice on Friday, Rossi was driving in the second group around the street circuit at Exhibition Place when the left front of his car clipped the tire barrier at Turn 8, causing the car to slam into the wall at the corner exit.

The incident triggered the first of two red flags during the session. Arrow McLaren confirmed in a statement that, although Rossi was examined and released by IndyCar’s medical team, he sustained a broken right thumb. Despite the injury, he had posted the fifth-fastest time in the session.
The statement read:

“Following an incident that resulted in contact with the Turn 8 wall during Practice 1 at the Ontario Honda Dealers Grand Prix, Alexander Rossi was seen and released by IndyCar medical. The incident resulted in a broken right thumb. Alexander will be unable to compete this weekend.”

It is reported that Rossi has headed back to Indianapolis, where he will receive further treatment. Speaking of Pourchaire, the 20-year-old will join Nolan Siegel and Pato O'Ward in the team's three-car lineup for Sunday’s 85-lap race, which is the final street circuit event of the season.

Pourchaire boasts an impressive track record, having qualified a season-best seventh for the street race in the Motor City. He has also competed in five NTT INDYCAR SERIES races this season with the team, starting with an 11th-place finish. His standout performance came with a tenth-place finish at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix.

However, it has been known that Pourchaire will not participate in today's 10:30 a.m. ET practice but will take the wheel for qualifying at 2:45 p.m. Both practice and qualifying will be broadcast live on Peacock and the INDYCAR Radio Network.