Hot on the heels of Haas F1’s launch, McLaren have become the next unwrap their present. However, they unveiled the Arrow McLaren SP car for the 2020 IndyCar season. The British outfit will be making a full-time return to the series in partnership with the Arrow Schmidt-Peterson team.

Admittedly, McLaren did enter two Indianapolis 500s, in 2017 and 2019. In their first race back on American soil, Fernando Alonso almost won, but the Spaniard failed to qualify in 2019. However, those races were a one-off, while 2020 will be the first time they compete on a full-time basis.

Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports had previously clinched seven IndyCar victories. Needless to say, McLaren found the opportunity to partner them, too good to pass up.

The Arrow McLaren SP team will field Patricio O’Ward and Oliver Askew for the coming season. The two entities seemlessly blended McLaren’s papaya colour with the team’s previous black livery.

Speaking at the unveiling, McLaren sporting director Gil de Ferran confessed that he was quite moved. He declared that the team’s return to IndyCar marks the start of a very long journey, and he is looking forward to it. He also praised the team and admitted that he was honoured to work alongside them.

What is the expectation for McLaren?

Meanwhile, Arrow McLaren SP co-owner Sam Schmidt declared his intention of bagging a few wins. It is note-worthy that the team swapped out Honda engines for Chevrolet.

“It’s very hard working groups coming together to form something even bigger,” said O’Ward.

Meanwhile, Askew confessed that the team possibly has one of the “best-looking cars on the grid”.

The 2020 IndyCar season commences on March 15 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Needless to say, the Woking-based team are eager to his the ground running and become a threat for wins and the 2020 IndyCar title.