IndyCar Rumor: NTT Data to drop Arrow McLaren team after 2026

NTT Data, the primary sponsor of Arrow McLaren’s No. 6 Chevrolet, is reportedly set to end its partnership with the team after the 2026 season.

The decision is believed to be influenced by Alex Palou’s choice to not honor his contract with McLaren, a significant factor in the sponsorship deal. NTT Data, a long-time backer of Chip Ganassi Racing since 2013, joined Arrow McLaren in 2022, shortly after Palou signed with the team.

Palou, who raced with NTT Data’s sponsorship at Ganassi from 2021 to 2022, opted to stay with Ganassi for 2024, prompting NTT Data to renegotiate its six-year deal with McLaren, originally set to run through 2028. The revised agreement allows NTT Data to exit after 2026.

Arrow McLaren also filed a lawsuit against Palou, claiming $30 million in damages, with $23 million attributed to losses from the renegotiated NTT Data deal.

The reduced sponsorship deal reportedly cost McLaren $7.3 million annually, with an additional $15.6 million in lost sponsorship benefits for McLaren F1. NTT Data is also expected to end its sponsorship with the McLaren F1 team after 2026.

In contrast, Arrow McLaren announced partnership extensions with Mission Foods and onsemi on September 9, 2025. Mission Foods, a sponsor since 2020, and onsemi, a primary sponsor for the No. 6 Chevrolet in four races over the past three seasons, have both committed to the team through 2026.

“Our partners are critical to our success,” said Arrow McLaren President Kevin Thimjon. “We’re thrilled to continue collaborating with Mission Foods and onsemi, providing unique experiences for their organizations and guests.”