McLaren to Return to IndyCar for the 2020 Season

McLaren fans will be delighted to learn that the British manufacturer will return to full-time IndyCar competition from 2020 onwards. The team will be entering a strategic partnership with Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (Arrow SPM) and Chevrolet to achieve this goal.

To mark the occasion, the team will be renamed Arrow McLaren Racing SP, fielding two Chevrolet-powered cars in the 2020 NTT IndyCar Series. The union will see Arrow SPM oversee the team’s operations, while the British marquee adds technical expertise, commercial experience and marketing strength. In addition to that Arrow SPM co-founders Sam Schmidt and Ric Peterson will continue in their current roles in the team.

The project will be led by Gil de Ferran, Sporting Director of McLaren Racing. He will lead a dedicated group from McLaren Racing, independent of the Formula 1 team.

CEO Zak Brown proudly said, “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.”

“This team provides McLaren with the right synergy as a strategic partner for our return to the sport. 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.”

“I’m absolutely delighted that we will expand our relationship with Arrow Electronics across both F1 and IndyCar, while renewing our long affinity with Chevrolet as our engine partner. McLaren and Chevrolet have a special history together in North America and it is fitting they are part of our full-time return to IndyCar.”

Further adding to this Gil de Ferran stated, “IndyCar is a natural fit for McLaren, given our legacy and determination to succeed at the top levels of international motorsport. Our ambition, over time, is to consistently compete for wins and championships. We acknowledge the challenge ahead of us but McLaren is committed to this partnership and to supporting the team as a whole.”

To make things even spicier for the fans, Arrow McLaren SP are open to entering a third car next year if Fernando Alonso wishes to race in the full IndyCar season.