- NTT Data has been title sponsor of IndyCar since 2019
- Moves to McLaren after eight years with CGR
- NTT was lead sponsor on Álex Palou's car last season
Arrow McLaren SP have lured Japanese-based technology firm NTT Data away from its long-term partners Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR), with a multi-year deal set to begin at the start of the 2023 IndyCar season.
NTT will act as lead sponsor for ten races on the number six McLaren car, driven by Felix Rosenqvist, as well as for the planned fourth car entry at the Indianapolis 500 with Tony Kanaan.
The company will also serve as the official IT services partner for the team's operations, as well as securing associate branding on the other McLaren cars driven by Pato O'Ward and Alexander Rossi.
This announcement follows the recent news that SmartStop Self Storage will serve as primary sponsor for Felix Rosenqvist's car at select races next season.
NTT had been lead sponsor on the number ten CGR car since 2014. This entry was driven by Álex Palou last season, the Spaniard who erroneously announced he was set to join Arrow McLaren SP for the start of the 2023 season before CGR found him to be in breach of his contract.
It appears both parties were set to jump teams as part of this deal, but Palou will now have to wait until 2024 at the earliest in order to follow NTT and complete his planned move to McLaren's IndyCar team.
Interestingly, Felix Rosenqvist will be reunited with NTT Data having driven the number ten CGR entry in 2019 and 2020, while Tony Kanaan raced the brand's sponsored entry between 2015 and 2017.
The Tokyo-headquartered company has been title sponsor of the IndyCar Series since 2019.
“NTT Data joining our great group of partners is a huge boost for Arrow McLaren SP,” said Zak Brown, chief executive of McLaren Racing.
“I’m thrilled they will be representing our number six car as a lead partner and a major sponsor for our fourth entry in the Indy 500, piloted by Tony Kanaan. Tony proved last year he can compete with the best of them, and I’m excited to see him put on a show with our team next May.”
Bob Pryor, chief executive of NTT Data Services, added: “We welcome the opportunity to partner with McLaren, a long-term and valued client, and to demonstrate how sponsorships simultaneously build awareness and enhance business-to-business relationships.
“NTT Data is also proud of the NTT IndyCar Series' growth with a strong international stable of drivers, great leadership from Penske Entertainment, and a passionate fan base attracted to the highly competitive product – where any driver can win in any weekend.”