Arrow McLaren has announced a significant leadership restructure of its IndyCar operations, appointing 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan as Team Principal alongside new hire Kevin Thimjon as President. The move marks a swift ascension for Kanaan, who competed in his final Indianapolis 500 with the team just two years ago.
Tony Kanaan’s rise through management
Kanaan’s promotion from Deputy Team Principal comes after a methodical transition through the organisation, where he initially served as Special Adviser following his retirement from racing in 2023. In his new role, Kanaan will oversee critical aspects of the team’s operations, including team and driver development, while managing key commercial relationships.
“A lot has happened since my last Indy 500 less than two years ago, to say the least,” Kanaan reflected. “I’ve embraced every opportunity to grow with the team and I’m excited to officially step into the Team Principal role.” The racing veteran emphasised the strategic importance of bringing in Thimjon, noting that having him “take on the business side of our team is part of our winning strategy.”
Strengthening business operations
The appointment of Kevin Thimjon as President brings substantial business acumen to Arrow McLaren. With executive experience from Core BTS, Lids Sports Group, and Just Marketing International (JMI), Thimjon will spearhead the team’s business operations, focusing on finance, commercial strategy, and administration. His role is designed to support the team’s long-term growth and operational efficiency.
Thimjon, who will also join the McLaren Racing Executive Team under CEO Zak Brown, expressed enthusiasm about returning to motorsport: “I’m looking forward to joining Arrow McLaren and getting back into motorsport. Zak and I worked together at JMI for several years, so it will be great to work with him again and help grow a team and brand that has a lot of unlocked potential.”
The dual appointment reflects Arrow McLaren’s commitment to strengthening both its racing operations and business foundation. CEO Zak Brown highlighted the strategic nature of these appointments, stating, “A few months ago, I said if we can find extra horsepower to add to the team, we’ll add it, and Kevin is the perfect example of that.” Brown expressed confidence in the partnership between Kanaan and Thimjon, noting that under Kanaan’s leadership, “the team has been moving forward quickly, and he and Kevin will work well together to keep that positive momentum up.”
Feature Image Credit: Penske Entertainment | Joe Skibinski
