David Malukas heads to Team Penske for the 2026 IndyCar season, replacing veteran driver Will Power in the No. 12 Chevrolet. After a successful season with AJ Foyt, finishing P11 in the standings, the American transitions to a new chapter in his career.
Malukas spoke about his transition to Team Penske on IndyCar content days attended by Pit Debrief and other outlets.
Preparing for change
In 2026, David Malukas will begin his first IndyCar season driving for a top-rated team. When asked about preparations ahead of his Team Penske debut, Malukas expressed confidence in his performance.
“Honestly, there is a few more things to check off, but let’s say we were racing next week, I would check off those things really quick, and, like, we’re ready to go.”
The 24-year-old expressed that a successful season would mean consistent performance across tracks. Malukas previously scored two podiums at Gateway for Dale Coyne Racing. In 2025, he finished runner-up at the prestigious Indy 500. He has yet to score a podium on a street circuit or road course.
“Consistency. I think that’s what really matters in IndyCar. We have so many different circuits. You have street, road, ovals. Through all of it, they’re all just so different.
“To have consistency between all of them, that would be a successful year for me.“
When will it click?
Adjusting to a new team isn’t easy — David Malukas knows this quite well. Heading into his fifth IndyCar season, Team Penske will be the fourth team the American has driven for.
Joining the sport in 2022, Malukas began his IndyCar career with Dale Coyne Racing. In 2024, Malukas signed a contract to drive for Arrow McLaren. Unfortunately, a pre-season wrist injury saw Malukas unable to compete with the team, being replaced by Theo Pourchaire and Nolan Siegel midseason.
Malukas found a new home at Meyer Shank Racing for the remainder of 2024, finishing a season-best P6 in Toronto. Then, he signed a contract to drive for AJ Foyt Racing in 2025, finishing a career-best P11 in the standings. During the 2026 IndyCar season, Malukas will have the chance to compete at the top of field with Team Penske.
When asked about how long it will take him to adjust to his new team, Malukas responded. “For this year, I think it’s going to click quicker than it has before with any other team just from all the prep that we’ve done and having all of these resources available to me.
“Like I said, going into the season this is the most prepared and ready I’ve ever felt and most excited to actually go out there and get it done, because I think we’ll make a big jump right off the bat.
“That is what I’m thinking, but even if it doesn’t, still not the end of the world. I know eventually we’ll get there like I’ve done with previous teams.
“When will it feel like it’s clicked? I guess once we unroll at Sebring and see how things are feeling. I think that’ll be a clear judgment heading into preseason.”
Malukas on maximizing opportunity ahead of 2026 IndyCar season
David Malukas lost a huge opportunity in 2024 following his pre-season wrist injury. Unable to fulfil his contracted duties with Arrow McLaren, the team released Malukas from his contract.
In 2026, Malukas has another opportunity to showcase his talent in a top IndyCar team. When asked if he will be able to maximize his opportunity with Team Penske, Malukas responded, “100% — I feel like everything is timed to perfection in that perspective.
“We were changing all these teams, but throughout that time I was still dealing with some wrist stuff even last season, the start of it, having some residual pain and these weird things. So just also getting back into the seat.
“I was also some tough struggles that I didn’t really speak about because I knew eventually it would go away. That injury, it really stayed. Now is the first time ever where I’m injury free, there’s no more residual things. I don’t need to do any PT, no more stretching, the wrist is what it is now, and it feels good.
“Everything is just timed to perfection like I said. I moved to Charlotte, can work on all this data, and put my head down and get ready.”
