Rumor: Rossi has letter-of-intent to drive for Arrow McLaren

Despite Michael Andretti telling Racer that he did not believe the rumors that his friend Zak Brown would sign his driver Alexander Rossi for 2023, and that a clause in Rossi’s contract prohibits him from making contact with other teams and entering into negotiations until a specific date is reached later in the year…….does not mean someone else can’t do the preliminary negotiations.

The rumor is that someone (perhaps his father who has negotiated on behalf of his son most of his career) has secured a non-binding letter of intent for Rossi to drive for the Arrow McLaren team after his contract expires with Andretti at the end of the 2022 season.

Another possibility for Rossi would be at Chip Ganassi Racing if veteran Scott Dixon decides to call it a day on his illustrious career. Chip Ganassi would be looking for a top-driver to replace Dixon.

“It’s status quo from where we were before; we’re still evaluating the [contract] situation and we’ll make a decision on what we want do later in the year,” Andretti told Racer. “And Alex is on the same page. He can’t talk to any teams or do anything with any teams contract-wise, and so we’re just hoping things turn around with him, and maybe we can keep things going.”

If Rossi does leave Andretti Autosport, it’s expected rookie sensation Kyle Kirkwood, on loan to AJ Foyt Racing, will be called up to replace Rossi in the #27 Honda.

Kirkwood has won every junior series championship he has competed in, and is making the #14 AJ Foyt Chevy do things no one thought was possible this year.

He’s a real talent.

Mark C. reporting for AutoRacing1.com