McLaren terminate IndyCar partnership with Juncos after Pourchaire abuse

The Arrow McLaren IndyCar team have terminated their strategic alliance with Juncos Hollinger.

Confirmed:

• Decision follows McLaren driver Théo Pourchaire being subjected to death threats after Detroit race
• Threats came after an on-track incident between Pourchaire and Juncos’ Argentinean driver Agustín Canapino

Context:

The alliance between the two teams was intended to have a commercial and strategic focus, with the opportunity to develop talent together and for engineers, mechanics and drivers to build experience. The partnership has now concluded after less than six months.

McLaren and Juncos released a joint statement in the aftermath of the incident condemning the abuse and Pourchaire also posted on social media confirming he had received death threats.

However, Canapino’s response did little to calm the situation on X, where he claimed to have ‘not seen a single death threat directed at those who claim to have received them’.

This is the latest abuse controversy surrounding Canapino after similar threats were made by the 34-year-old’s fans to British driver and then-teammate Callum Ilott last season.

Comment:

An Arrow McLaren statement read: ‘Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team has terminated its commercial alliance with Juncos Hollinger Racing, effective immediately.

‘This decision follows actions that occurred earlier this week on social media in regards to an on-track incident at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix.

‘As reflected in the team’s social media community code, Arrow McLaren will not tolerate any form of abuse or discrimination and totally condemns the online abuse directed toward our team and driver.’

Coming next:

IndyCar returns this weekend at Road America in Wisconsin from 7th to 9th June.

Go deeper:

• IndyCar president Jay Frye on the 2024 schedule, US broadcast plans, and future expansion
• Inside the deal: How IndyCar is working with Shell and Firestone to fuel its sustainability drive