The Arrow McLaren IndyCar team have been a consistent frontrunner over the past seasons, improving significantly on ovals in particular.
Arrow McLaren have been winning races but were unable to compete over a season with Team Penske and the formidable Chip Ganassi Racing.
The team have had strong drivers such as Pato O’Ward, who has improved and become a more refined driver since making his debut in 2018.
O’Ward as been able to learn from more experienced drivers such as Alexander Rossi although the dynamic within the team in changing.
He will be teammates with Nolan Siegel and Christian Lundgaard, who both have less experience than the driver of the No. 5 car in IndyCar.
O’Ward explained to the official IndyCar website that he is prepared to lead the team and teach Siegel and Lundgaard over the season.
Pato O’Ward feels there is a ‘different’ at Arrow McLaren as he is leading the team
O’Ward was very competitive over the year in 2024, taking three victories although there were phases were he suffered bad results.
The Arrow McLaren driver inherited victory at the season opener on the Streets of St. Petersburg before failing to finish inside the top 10 at the next three events.
One of his key skills is his pace on ovals, and the 25-year-old finished second at the Indy 500, before winning the first race at the Milwaukee Mile.
O’Ward explained he is ready to teach Lundgaard and Siegel what they need to know, passing on his past experiences.
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He said: “I’m the old guy in the team, having Nolan and Christian in there. Definitely feels a bit different. I would say not the baby anymore.
“Being the wise guy. I’m going to teach Nolan and Christian. Whatever they want to know, I’ve got experiences.”
Christian Lundgaard and Nolan Siegel are two good additions to the Arrow McLaren team
Lundgaard has performed admirably during his time in IndyCar, consistently being the best-performing driver at RLL, who have struggled on ovals in recent seasons.
The Danish driver ook his first victory last season on the unforgiving streets of Toronto last year and has consistently performed well at the IMS Road Course.
Siegel has also been impressive among difficult circumstances this season, recovering from getting bumped out of the field at the Indy 500.
He broke into the top for the first time at Gateway, finishing seventh on the oval in an impressive performance, staying out of trouble.