Kanaan to retire from IndyCar after final shot at Indy 500

©McLaren

IndyCar veteran Tony Kanaan has announced that he will retire from the series after his final participation in next May's Indianapolis 500 with Arrow McLaren.

The 48-year-old Brazilian racer, who won the IndyCar championship in 2004 with Andretti Green Racing and triumphed at the Brickyard in 2013, is set to undertake his 390th start in CART/IndyCar

"It’s been a wonderful journey, but it’s not done yet," said Kanaan in a video message released on social media.

"I will still have the pleasure to drive through the bricks one more time. Thank you all, and I’ll see you on race day."

Kanaan's eight-year tenure in IndyCar with Andretti Green Racing/Andretti Autosport from 2003 to 2010 yielded 14 wins and the title in 2004.

Thereafter followed a three-stint at KV Racing that delivered just one win: his victory at Indy in 2013.

The Brazilian's most recent win came at Fondtana in 2014 with Chip Ganassi.

Kanaan had originally planned to call it a day on his time in IndyCar in 2020 following a limited oval campaign with Foyt called 'TK's Last Lap'.

But the onslaught of the Covid pandemic wreaked havoc on IndyCar's schedule and kept fans at home, which encouraged Kanaan to delay his farewell tour.

He will now enjoy his final push – called 'Tony Kanaan's Final Chapter' – with Arrow McLaren at the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.