“As they say, everything happens for a reason,” David Malukas told Motorsport.com. “If I look back, after every part that's happened this yr, I probably feel 10 times higher as a driver than before.
Malukas faced some high probabilities within the 2024 IndyCar Series season and due to this fact got here out higher. It was a yr that began quickly for McLaren's Arrow, which quickly fell apart after he was involved in a mountain bike accident lower than a month into the season that sidelined him with a left wrist injury requiring surgery. He was released lower than three months later, with the team citing his unavailability and no return date confirmed.
The Chicago-born product then briefly disappeared from social media and underwent a mental reset of sorts before being given the prospect to return to the cockpit with Meyer Shank Racing for the remaining nine races of the season in early June. Even though he was not fully fit, he overcame the injury at a powerful pace, starting in the highest six five times, including winning second place twice (twice – St. Louis, Milwaukee 1). He also wondered what may need happened if potential winnings disappeared after a crash after contact with Team Penske's Will Power in St. Louis and being on the incorrect side of a strategic call in Nashville.
The leaderboard will only show two top 10s, with a best results of sixth place on the bumpy and hard concrete playground of Toronto's streets, but that doesn't reflect the true pace Malukas was generating during his comeback.
David Malukas and Meyer Shank Racing Honda
Photo: Jake Galstad / Motorsport Images
“I'm still very young (23) and I'm learning every time,” Malukas said. “I made a lot of mistakes this year and had a crazy ride full of ups and downs, but in the end I think everything worked out the way it was supposed to.”
Malukas also benefited from reviewing data from several talented drivers during his time at Arrow McLaren, in addition to from MSR and its technical alliance with Andretti Global.
“I learned a lot,” he said. “I used to be in a position to get driver information from Pato (O'Ward), (Alexander) Rossi and (Marcus) Ericsson, (Colton) Herta, Kyle (Kirkwood) and (Felix) Rosenqvist. I mean, they're all top drivers and so they're all unique in their very own way. To take all this information and fill it out about me, I mean it was an enormous piece.
“I've also matured loads. After this incident and getting back from it, I will certainly handle myself throughout the off-season. But overall I'm very completely happy. I don't have a full left back but I believe it's an excellent price to pay to succeed in my maximum potential. If this yr hadn't happened and things had turned out in a different way, I don't think I can be on the potential I even have now.
When asked in regards to the injury, Malukas raised each arms within the air and demonstrated the difference in available movements by swinging his right arm back but unable to do the identical along with his left, which could barely move from a vertical position.
“Maybe it will be a little better,” he said. I believe that was also a part of the chance of getting back within the automobile. I needed to postpone the recovery of my hand for some time.
“There remains to be a probability to get some back. It won’t ever be 100%, but when we will get a few of it back, I believe there’ll now not be an issue with the automobile being a little bit of a pain. But this yr it's definitely still an issue because you’ve got to wrap it up and provides it extra stability. With all this movement, there's no… I want it a little bit more, like 10 degrees more.
So hopefully we will get that, and if we do, next season it needs to be something I don't even remember.”
Malukas might be looking to provide his best as he prepares for next yr with AJ Foyt Racing in a two-car lineup that also includes Santino Ferrucci.
Even because the enterprise approaches 2025, Malukas can also't help but fondly remember his short but eventful time with the team co-owned by Mike Shank and Jim Meyer.
“Yeah, it's definitely bittersweet,” Malukas said.
“Things went from all of the talking and stuff, things went a little bit slower than we wanted, and we ended up going someplace else. From my side, the team is amazing. I'll say it over and once again: I believe this team saved me. They saved my profession.
“When it involves IndyCar, you may be known and unknown in a short time. You might have been forgotten. And they gave me a probability. Without them, I probably wouldn't give you the option to get right into a automobile this yr and even next yr. To fill the spot, there are such a lot of good drivers currently available that without them things can be far more difficult, so an enormous thanks to Mike, Jim and all of the crew. They treated me like family. As soon as I walked in there was laughter and good fun.
“And no matter what the results, whether I'm frustrated or pissed off or happy or whatever, they always just smile and say, 'Man, that was awesome,' and have a good time. And the pit stops were crazy. … They were rockets. Such a good group of guys. It's definitely nice to leave them behind, but at least we have some good memories along the way.”
