Breaking News: McLaren chief issues statement over team SALE following the full ACQUISITION of…read more
McLaren chief issues statement over team SALE following the full ACQUISITION of…read more
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has issued a statement following the full acquisition of the team’s IndyCar division, Arrow McLaren. The Formula 1 team has purchased the remaining stake in the IndyCar outfit from Sam Schmidt and Ric Peterson, who co-owned the team for several years. This move solidifies McLaren Racing’s complete control over the Arrow McLaren team, marking a new chapter for the organization’s presence in the United States.
The team was originally founded by former IndyCar driver Sam Schmidt in 2001, initially under the name Sam Schmidt Motorsports. In 2013, Schmidt partnered with Ric Peterson, and the team was renamed Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. However, in 2020, the outfit underwent another rebranding, this time as Arrow McLaren SP, following McLaren’s acquisition of a 75 percent stake in the team. The transition of ownership was part of a larger strategy by McLaren Racing to expand its footprint in IndyCar.
With McLaren now fully in control of the IndyCar operation, this acquisition highlights a shift toward stronger integration between McLaren’s Formula 1 and IndyCar activities. The crossover between the two divisions became more pronounced in 2024 when IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward participated in a Formula 1 practice session at his home grand prix, further cementing the collaboration between the two racing series.
In his statement, Brown expressed excitement about the team’s future in the IndyCar series, emphasizing the importance of expanding McLaren’s presence in North America, which is a key market for both the team and its fans. He also thanked Schmidt and Peterson for their partnership, acknowledging the significant contributions they made in building the team. Brown reiterated McLaren’s commitment to continuing the legacy of these founders and working toward making Arrow McLaren a championship-contending team in the NTT IndyCar Series.
This acquisition follows a successful year for McLaren in Formula 1, where the team achieved its best results since 1998, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri playing pivotal roles in securing the constructors’ championship. With Brown now focusing on both Formula 1 and IndyCar, McLaren’s expansion into the American motorsport scene is set to continue growing. The addition of multiple U.S.-based grand prix weekends to the Formula 1 calendar, including the Miami Grand Prix, has already strengthened McLaren’s position in the market. With this strategic move, McLaren aims to further solidify its presence in both series as they look to compete for championships across different racing platforms.
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