Arrow McLaren Racing SP has announced Patricio O'Ward and Oliver Askew will form its driver line-up in the 2020 IndyCar championship, with long-term SPM racer James Hinchcliffe departing the fold.
O'Ward driver rose to prominence after beating Colton Herta to the 2018 Indy Lights title, as well as a stunning debut in the 2018 IndyCar finale at Sonoma with Harding Racing.
O'Ward joins McLaren on the back of a turbulent 2019 season where he fell out with the Harding Steinbrenner team, moved to Carlin, then was picked by the Red Bull academy only to be dropped six-months later.
His first full season with the Arrow McLaren SP team had looked set to be driving alongside IndyCar stalwart Hinchcliffe, however, with the team moving to Chevrolet engines and the Canadian having a personal Honda contract, the situation was always uncertain.
McLaren's second seat at the team will instead be filled by another Indy Lights champion in the form of Askew, who claimed the 2019 title.
“As we look to establish Arrow McLaren SP and re-establish McLaren in the world of IndyCar, I’m delighted to be welcoming these two young, homegrown talents to the team,” said Gil De Ferran, Sporting Director of McLaren Racing.
“Oliver and Pato represent the new generation of IndyCar drivers. Proven winners and exciting prospects, I have no doubt that they will form an excellent pairing as we take on the 2020 season.
"Both drivers were super-impressive in Indy Lights, racking up 16 wins between them over the last two seasons. We have taken time and care to make a driver selection that we believe is in the best long-term interests of Arrow McLaren SP.”
