LEEDS, Ala. — Arrow McLaren has severed ties with David Malukas just four races into their relationship — races the young driver missed after dislocating his left wrist and tearing tendons after flying over his handlebars mountain biking a month before the season-opener.

Team officials told Malukas of their decision an hour after the checkered flag fell at Barber Motorsports Park, capping a rough weekend for the team on-track. Arrow McLaren's cars finished 22nd (Malukas stand-in Theo Pourchaire), 23rd (Pato O'Ward) and 25th (Alexander Rossi) at the Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix. The team let Malukas go to avoid a murky legal position.

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Had Arrow McLaren kept the 22-year-old beyond Sunday, they ran the risk of appearing to guarantee Malukas the ride upon his uncertain return. Had they then cut ties with him later this season, it's understood the team believed it ran the risk of being sued for false promises.

Malukas released a statement later Monday.

"The past three months have been challenging," it said. "I felt privileged to have had the opportunity to drive for Arrow McLaren and regret that it never materialized. I would have loved to have continued representing the team and its partners going forward. They have been good, and I appreciate all they have done for me.

"I've done everything possible to speed up the rehab process — treatments, physiotherapy, strength training — but my recovery has taken longer than anticipated. Every injury is different, and every body heals at a different pace. I'll turn my full attention to getting back to 100 percent and then prove that I am ready and able to compete to win."

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Arrow McLaren IndyCar team releases David Malukas after 4 missed races