Photo: Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports
The last time the name McLaren was mentioned as a full-time IndyCar entry was decades ago, in 1979. From next year onwards though, the Brits are back in one of the most popular racing series in North America.
McLaren’s Racing division announced at the end of last week a partnership with Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports that would effectively put its name back on the grid.
Arrow is a team that up until now was racing Honda-powered cars in the NTT IndyCar Series, but McLaren's involvement apparently means thei're switching sides.
From next season, the Hondas partnership will end, and the one with McLaren will begin. The team will be renamed Arrow McLaren Racing SP and, instead of the Honda-powered cars, will deploy two Chevrolet-powered racers.
McLaren will contribute “technical expertise, commercial experience, and marketing strength” to the new team.
The new McLaren IndyCar program will be headed by Indianapolis 500 winner Gil de Ferran, who will lead a dedicated team, independent from the Formula 1 team.
“IndyCar has been part of McLaren since our early years of racing, and the series today provides not only a commercial platform to continue to grow our brand in North America but competition with some of the best teams in international motorsport,” said Zak Brown, McLaren Racing CEO in a statement.
“We believe together we can help each other achieve our mutual ambitions. Sam Schmidt and Ric Peterson have built a solid foundation and we look forward to working together to take the team to the next level.”
McLaren’s return to the IndyCar comes at a time of significant change for the series. Just a couple of weeks ago the competition announced it would allow hybrid engines on the tracks from 2020 in an attempt to boost the popularity of the sport and align itself with the current racing environment.
Presently, IndyCar engines are supplied by Honda and Chevrolet, and most have a power output of between 550 and 700 hp. The hybrid should take power well above 900 hp.
Arrow is a team that up until now was racing Honda-powered cars in the NTT IndyCar Series, but McLaren's involvement apparently means thei're switching sides.
From next season, the Hondas partnership will end, and the one with McLaren will begin. The team will be renamed Arrow McLaren Racing SP and, instead of the Honda-powered cars, will deploy two Chevrolet-powered racers.
McLaren will contribute “technical expertise, commercial experience, and marketing strength” to the new team.
The new McLaren IndyCar program will be headed by Indianapolis 500 winner Gil de Ferran, who will lead a dedicated team, independent from the Formula 1 team.
“IndyCar has been part of McLaren since our early years of racing, and the series today provides not only a commercial platform to continue to grow our brand in North America but competition with some of the best teams in international motorsport,” said Zak Brown, McLaren Racing CEO in a statement.
“We believe together we can help each other achieve our mutual ambitions. Sam Schmidt and Ric Peterson have built a solid foundation and we look forward to working together to take the team to the next level.”
McLaren’s return to the IndyCar comes at a time of significant change for the series. Just a couple of weeks ago the competition announced it would allow hybrid engines on the tracks from 2020 in an attempt to boost the popularity of the sport and align itself with the current racing environment.
Presently, IndyCar engines are supplied by Honda and Chevrolet, and most have a power output of between 550 and 700 hp. The hybrid should take power well above 900 hp.
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