IndyCar 2021 Preview: Arrow McLaren SP
Pato O'Ward returns, Felix Rosenqvist joins from Ganassi camp and Juan Pablo Montoya will run Indy 500 only
Photo: IndyCar
By Michael Eubanks
This is the third of a 10-part weekly series of previews of each full-time team slated to compete in the 2021 NTT IndyCar Series. Each preview will give an overview of all drivers currently signed to drive for the team, recap the team’s 2020 results, describe what’s new for the team in 2021 and provide an outlook for the team’s performance this season.
Today’s preview features Arrow McLaren SP. The season-opening Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama takes place on April 18.
2021 Drivers (name, car number, all Chevrolet powered): Patricio O’Ward - No. 5, Felix Rosenqvist - No. 7, Juan Pablo Montoya - No. 66 (Indianapolis 500 only)
2020 recap: The team fielded two full-time entries, with a third Indy-only entry for Fernando Alonso. After running a partial schedule with Carlin in 2019, O’Ward participated in his first full-time season, notching three second-place finishes. He finished fourth in the final standings. After winning the Indy Lights title for Andretti in 2019, Oliver Askew made his IndyCar debut with the team and had a best finish of third at Iowa. However, after experiencing a hard crash in the Indy 500 that resulted in concussion-like symptoms, Askew missed the Harvest Grand Prix and was replaced by Helio Castroneves. Askew, who finished 19th in the final standings, was then released by the team at the conclusion of the season.
What's new for 2021: O’Ward returns to the No. 5 car for another season, while Rosenqvist joins the team after spending two seasons with Chip Ganassi Racing. Montoya will make his first IndyCar start since 2017 when he joins the team for the 105th running of the Indianapolis 500.
Photo: IndyCar
Season Outlook: With two talented young drivers, this year could very well be the year AMSP returns to victory lane. Both O’Ward and Rosenqvist have proven they have the talent it takes to compete for wins week in and week out, and in O’Ward’s case, the hunger to finally collect that first win has to be growing after so many second-place finishes last year.
Owner Quotes: “We have some very high expectations but also there’s no excuse now. We’ve got the best engineering team that we could accumulate over the last five years, we have great equipment, we have a great partnership with Chevrolet and Firestone. With the partner support we have and the drivers we have, it’s time to be top-3 in pit stops, top 3 in the championship. It’s time to win races as a team and be very competitive.” - Sam Schmidt
Driver Quotes: “I think I’ve settled into the team in a very natural way. We’ve spent quite a lot of time together since our first test back in November. It’s a down-to-earth group of people who certainly focus extremely hard on what they do, but who also know the importance of chilling out and having fun in-between. I appreciate that mindset a lot. I really enjoy it here, and I think we’re all equally keen on taking Arrow McLaren SP to the next level.” - Felix Rosenqvist