McLaren chief issues statement over team SALE....

McLaren chief issues statement over team SALE…..read more

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has issued a statement following the acquisition of the remaining shares in the Arrow McLaren IndyCar team. The Formula 1 powerhouse has now fully taken ownership of the team, which was previously co-owned by Sam Schmidt and Ric Peterson. This move follows McLaren’s previous purchase of a 75 percent stake in the team in 2021.

Arrow McLaren’s roots trace back to 2001 when former IndyCar driver Sam Schmidt founded the team under the name Sam Schmidt Motorsports. Over the years, the team evolved, with Ric Peterson joining as co-owner in 2013, leading to a rebranding of the team to Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. In 2020, the team was renamed again to Arrow McLaren SP, reflecting McLaren’s increasing involvement with the IndyCar series. The collaboration between McLaren and Arrow McLaren had already been growing, with the F1 team purchasing a major share of the operation, and now McLaren Racing has taken full control.

The timing of this acquisition is significant for McLaren, which has been enjoying a successful year in Formula 1. The team’s performances in 2024, marked by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s achievements, including winning the Constructors’ Championship, have raised expectations for future success. This success in F1, coupled with McLaren’s expanding presence in IndyCar, places Brown and his team in a strong position for continued growth.

Zak Brown shared his enthusiasm for the move, emphasizing the strategic importance of North America for McLaren Racing. The CEO sees this acquisition as a vital step in strengthening McLaren’s presence in the region, which has become an increasingly important market for both the team and its growing fan base. “This is an exciting step for McLaren Racing as we grow and strengthen our presence in North America, which is a very important market for our team and our fans,” said Brown. He also expressed gratitude toward Schmidt and Peterson for their role in the team’s journey, acknowledging their contributions to the development of the team over the years. Brown specifically highlighted their shared vision of building a championship-caliber team in the NTT IndyCar Series.

The statement also touched on the broader context of McLaren’s expansion in North America. The growing popularity of Formula 1 in the region has been evident, especially with the increasing number of US-based races on the F1 calendar. The Miami Grand Prix, for instance, has become a key highlight, where McLaren’s Lando Norris claimed his first victory in the 2024 season. This success in the F1 space has undoubtedly bolstered McLaren’s brand in North America, making the acquisition of Arrow McLaren a natural extension of the team’s ambitions on both sides of the Atlantic.

McLaren Racing’s future looks promising as it continues to strengthen its position in both Formula 1 and IndyCar. The team’s full acquisition of Arrow McLaren is part of a broader vision to build a globally competitive racing operation that can challenge for championships in both series. With Brown’s leadership, the team is focused on maintaining momentum and pushing for success in 2025 and beyond. The combination of McLaren’s F1 and IndyCar operations promises to make the team even more formidable as they look to build on their recent successes and secure a bright future across multiple motorsport platforms.