Tag: Arrow McLaren SP

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IndyCar

O’Ward 12th In St Pete

Arrow McLaren SP’s Pato O’Ward in the No.5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet started Sunday’s 2022 NTT IndyCar Series season-opening Firestone Grand Prix presented by RP Funding from 16th and came home in 12th and speaking following the action he said:

Speaking following the action he said:

“We finished 12th today at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. We had a great start, going from 16th to ninth on the first lap. From there, I was like ‘Oh yes, let’s get a great race in,’ but we didn’t really nail the strategy. We weren’t on the right strategy with the three-stop and got stuck back in 12th. We will give it hell in Texas.

Felix Rosenqvist in the Vuse Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet started Sunday’s race from 21st and came home in 17th.

Speaking following the action he said:

“The first race of the season is complete in St. Petersburg. We ended 17th and really couldn’t move up in the field. The way our strategy turned out is pretty much where we started the race. That’s what happens when you start in the back, you don’t really go anywhere unless you luck out with the strategy; which we didn’t have today. I thought the pace was pretty good, the best it was all weekend; but we couldn’t take advantage of it. Now, we will reload for Texas.”

Arrow McLaren SP President Taylor Kiel commented saying:

The end result made it a tough day. Both Arrow McLaren SP cars moved forward through the field, which passing in traffic here at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is a difficult thing to do. Track position is king. With that in mind, we took an alternate strategy very early in the race with both cars. That put us P2 and P6 on that strategy, but turns out it split the field in half and we were on the wrong end of it. No fault of anyone, as the yellow fell when it did and ultimately brought the other strategies back into play.

“I’m proud of everybody for their work in the offseason, and I feel that we have strong cars. When we were able to show it in clean air, we had as good of pace as anybody. We were able to protect the tires, and Team Chevy has done a great job with the drivability work. All offseason, our drivers have been optimistic about our package this year. It was just a tough weekend based on how we qualified and we knew it was going to be an uphill battle. We will take this one and move on to Texas

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IndyCar News

A Tough Day In St Pete For Arrow McLaren SP

The Arrow McLaren SP NTT IndyCar Series team endured a tricky start to their season in St Pete on Saturday as Pato O’Ward in the No.5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet will start Sunday’s race from 16th.

Speaking following the action, O’Ward said:

The No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet had the pace to move on, I’m sure of that. We started out in Practice 1 not where we wanted to be but we made some great changes and the car has pace. Note to myself for next time: don’t smash the wall halfway through your lap if you want to transfer. It’s all my mistake, just didn’t quite judge the amount of snap I was going to get and I didn’t want to back out of it. I’ll take the consequences, but tomorrow I think we will have a good race. The car is good and let’s see what we can pull off

Felix Rosenqvist in the No.7 Vuse Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet starts the race from 21st place and speaking following the action he said:

“It was kind of a weird session. The black primary Firestones were a good step forward from practice, and felt we didn’t need any adjustments for the red alternates. We went out and the tires were ready to go straight out of the pit lane. That’s not what we are used to, I expected them to come in on the second or third lap. I just took too much out of the tires on the first lap and couldn’t complete a better lap after that. It was a good lap, but kind of weird how the tire just went away. There’s a lot of lap time left to find, but we will focus on the race. I think we have a pretty good race car, so I’m not too worried. We will push tomorrow.”

Arrow McLaren SP President Taylor Kiel commented saying:

Today was not the qualifying session we wanted by any means. I think there were some negatives and we didn’t execute. First, the red alternate Firestones on the No. 7 Vuse Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet caught Felix out and didn’t allow him to extract the pace from the car. With Pato and the No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet, we received valuable advice from Felix after Group 1 and the pace was certainly there. We didn’t get in position to transfer and ultimately had contact with the wall exiting Turn 9. Unfortunately, we didn’t transfer either car. The positive is both cars are very good, in the window, and have pace. We have a good understanding of the red tires heading into the race and we have an extra set for both cars. There’s for sure room to move forward tomorrow, so now we just need to execute.”

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IndyCar

A Tricky Day For Arrow McLaren SP

The Arrow McLaren SP NTT IndyCar Series team endured a tricky opening day to the season at the Firestone Grand Prix presented by RP Funding on Friday.

Felix Rosenqvist in the No.7 Vuse Arrow McLaren Chevrolet ended the day in 16th and speaking following the action he said:

“We are all finished with the first session of the year. I thought we had a pretty different car than what we brought last year and it was definitely better in some areas. It seems like we just didn’t really get the lap time out of it. I kind of had a messy session, having to pit after three laps to fix an issue. Once I got to go back out, it kind of ruined the run a little bit. So we lost a little bit of pace, but we will dig into it. I think there is plenty of room to improve tomorrow.”

Pato O’Ward in the No.5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet ended the day in 20th place and speaking following the action he said:

“It is the first session of the year and a completely new package, so it was time to see if it worked or didn’t work. The pace wasn’t quite there today, so it’s something we will need to take a look at for this weekend and for future street courses. We will try another approach. We need to see where we are lacking and try to make the car better. Practice 2 is going to be all about trying to optimize our qualifying car to have the best starting position for the race. We will see where we stack up and then give them hell in the race.”

Arrow McLaren SP Team President Taylor Kiel commented saying:

“It is great to be back racing again. It’s a long offseason, so happy to be back with the fans and the sunshine is amazing. I don’t think we rolled off very stron but we made continual improvements throughout the session. Unfortunately you only get one set of tires in this initial practice. We have some momentum heading into tonight, and we will sit down to debrief and make the cars better for tomorrow. I think we are in the window, just didn’t quite hit it right out of the box.”
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IndyCar News

Arrow McLaren SP Drivers Excited For St Pete

Arrow McLaren SP drivers Pato O’Ward in the No.5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet and Felix Rosenqvist in the No.7 Vuse Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet say they are both extremely excited to get back to racing as the NTT IndyCar Series heads to Florida for the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix presented by RP Funding on the streets of St Petersburg.

It has been a busy off-season for O’Ward who tested a McLaren F1 car at the end of last year and speaking ahead of the race this weekend he said:

It’s been a long offseason but the entire Arrow McLaren SP team has put in so much work to be ready for the first race of the season. I left St. Petersburg last year with a bit of a sour taste in my mouth, but I’ve always really enjoyed racing there so I’m looking forward to turning it around. I’m excited to see where we are and make the first race one to remember.”

Felix Rosenqvist is looking to get some solid points in the bag this weekend saying:

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is the first race of the year and one of my absolute favorite tracks and cities that we go to. It is a really special event every year. St. Petersburg has everything that you want and it’s a perfect way to start off the year. I’ve had very good races here but last year wasn’t the strongest result for us. I think we’re really motivated to come back stronger this year and start off the season in a good way. That way, we can travel to the next race with some points in the bag.

President of Arrow McLaren SP Taylor Kiel commented saying:

“I am looking forward to getting back to racing after a long off-season. We’ve had a very aggressive R&D, development, and offseason program. I’m excited to move past that and get to the racetrack and actually see the results of all the hard work that everyone has put in this year. It’s a culmination of all the efforts and everything that’s gone into the off-season. St. Pete is here and it gives us another opportunity to compete for race wins and championships, so I am excited to get going.”

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IndyCar News

Arrow McLaren SP Reveal 2022 Liveries

The Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet NTT IndyCar Series team officially revealed images of the liveries that both Pato O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist will compete with during the 2022 season starting with the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St Petersburg.

O’Ward will once again pilot the No.5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet and is hoping to build on a strong season with the team last year which resulted in him finishing third in the championship after two victories in Texas race one and Detroit race 2.

O’Ward is once again joined by Felix Rosenqvist who is driving the No.7 Vuse Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet and the Swede is hoping to bounce back from a tricky 2021 season.

Patricio OÕWard
Felix Rosenqvist
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF ARROW MCLAREN SP

The NTT IndyCar Series will conduct a number of days of pre-season testing next week before the teams head to Florida for the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St Petersburg from February 25-27.

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IndyCar News

Lucas Oil Extend Partnership With Arrow McLaren SP

Arrow McLaren SP announced on Monday that they have extended their long-standing partnership with Lucas Oil.

The team has signed a multi-year contract extension with the Indianapolis-based manufacturer and distributor of high-performance automotive oils and additives extending their 18 year-long partnership.

The Lucas Oil logos will once again appear on the cars driven in the NTT IndyCar Series by Pato O’Ward in the No.5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet and Felix Rosenqvist in the No.7 Vuse Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet.

Both cars will be presented to the media on McLaren Racing’s 2022 launch day on Friday.

Lucas Oil will also sponsor Juan Pablo Montoya for the GMR Grand Prix of Indianapolis and the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge in May.

Speaking about the announcement, President of Arrow McLaren SP, Taylor Kiel commented saying:

“It is rare to have a partnership in motorsport that has lasted as long as ours with Lucas Oil, which makes our renewal for multiple years truly special. It’s great to have them back with Juan Pablo for the GMR Grand Prix and with the entire team all season.” 

Juan Pablo Montoya, driver of the No.6 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet said:

“I’m excited to be back with Lucas Oil for the GMR Grand Prix as we kick off my second Month of May with Arrow McLaren SP. Indianapolis holds a special place in my heart, and I think it’s great to represent a company whose heart is in Indianapolis as well. I can’t wait to get back on track in the No. 6 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet.”

Founder of Lucas Oil, Forrest Lucas commented saying:

“It has been a pleasure to watch this team and its program mature throughout our nearly two-decade-long relationship. We are excited to support the Arrow McLaren SP team and their drivers and wish Juan Pablo Montoya and the No. 6 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet well, as he prepares for the GMR Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course later this year.”

Sam Schmidt, board member of Arrow McLaren SP commented on the announcement saying:

“It continues to be an honor to carry the Lucas Oil brand on the race cars. This multi-year renewal is a great representation of our 18-year partnership. We are excited to have them with Juan Pablo at the GMR Grand Prix and the rest of the team throughout the season.”

Brandon Berstein, Director of Partnership Marketing, Lucas Oil, said:

“We are excited to extend our relationship with Arrow McLaren SP here at Lucas Oil for the upcoming seasons. We feel the team aligns perfectly with our marketing strategies. This team has made amazing progress over the last few years, and we are thrilled for the future.”

The 2022 NTT IndyCar Series season gets underway from February 25-27 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St Petersburg – https://www.gpstpete.com/

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Motorsport News Uncategorized

Ward Joins Arrow McLaren SP

Arrow McLaren SP announced on Tuesday that former Red Bull Racing engineer and Team Penske engineer Gavin Ward has joined the team ahead of the start of the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series season.

In a statement on Twitter, Arrow McLaren SP said:

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Motorsport News Sport

I Had A Really Great Day Testing

Mercedes EQ ABB FIA Formula E driver Stoffel Vandoorne made his NTT IndyCar Series debut with Arrow McLaren SP at Sebring International Raceway on Monday.

The Belgian, driving Pato O’Ward’s No.5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet stated:

“Today was my first experience in INDYCAR. I had a really great day testing the Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet. Before I came out here, I spoke to a lot of people about racing or driving an Indy car, Felix [Rosenqvist] being one of them. It was kind of what I expected more or less. I did a simulator day before coming out here but the real car is always something different. It is pretty much everything that everyone’s been on about. It’s a very big car, powerful and a heavy steering wheel. You’re really fighting the car a lot, so it’s really a beast of a car to hustle around a track. It was a positive day, we managed to cover a lot of laps and get through a big testing program. I’m happy we managed to cover everything without any issues. I just want to say thanks to Arrow McLaren SP for giving me the opportunity, and it was a great experience for me to try out INDYCAR. Let’s see what the future will bring.”

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Motorsport News Sport

McLaren Racing Conclude Arrow McLaren SP Acquisition

McLaren Racing announced on Monday that it has officially concluded the deal to acquire a majority 75% shareholding in the Arrow McLaren SP NTT IndyCar Series team.

Arrow McLaren SP will consist of a five person board of management comprising of Sam Schmidt and Ric Peterson whe three appointees will come from McLaren.

The board will report directly to McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown as will Arrow McLaren SP President Taylor Kiel.

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Motorsport News Sport

McLaren Reaping The Rewards Of F1/IndyCar Teams

McLaren Racing is reaping the rewards of having teams competing in Formula One and the NTT IndyCar Series. In 2021, the McLaren Group purchased a controlling stake in the Arrow McLaren SP team with Pato O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist competing for the team full-time.

At the 105th running of the Indianapolis 500 in May the team was joined by IndyCar veteran Juan Pablo Montoya who competed in the Greatest Spectacle In Racing.

Pato O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist have visited the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, UK a number of times and O’Ward had a breakthrough 2021 NTT IndyCar Series season, finishing the year in third place in the championship having taken two victories and the NTT P1 Awards.

O’Ward will test for the McLaren Formula One Team next month at the Abu Dhabi Young Driver Test which takes place following the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Arrow McLaren SP drivers were with the McLaren F1 drivers, Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin Texas.

The McLaren Formula One team also took a race win in 2021 with Daniel Ricciardo taking victory for the team at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza coming home just ahead of his teammate Lando Norris.

The crossover between the Formula One and NTT IndyCar Series teams has brought great success to both teams and it is just a sign of things to come for both teams as the future is extremely bright for both outfits on either side of the Atlantic.

Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren MCL35M, makes a pit stop
Lando Norris, McLaren, with Lando Norris, McLaren
Mechanics work on the car of Lando Norris, McLaren MCL35M
Lando Norris, McLaren, 2nd position, Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, and Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren, 1st position, with their trophies
Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren, 1st position, and Lando Norris, McLaren, 2nd position, in Parc Ferme
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL35M, in the pits
Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren MCL35M, in the pits

McLaren Racing not only have teams in IndyCar and Formula One but they have also launched an Extreme E team who will make their debut for season 2 of the all-electric SUV racing series with Emma Glamour and Tanner Foust competing for the team.

Photographs courtesy of McLaren Racing