Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Australia
Fernando Alonso, Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet
Prime
Analysis

Why Alonso’s latest McLaren reunion has cause for optimism

After a promising debut in 2017 was followed by last year's disaster, Fernando Alonso returns to the Indianapolis 500 for a third time. Despite a hefty practice crash and a lowly qualifying performance, his triple crown dream is not out of question…

Motorsport.com's Prime content

The best content from Motorsport.com Prime, our subscription service. <a href="https://www.motorsport.com/prime/">Subscribe here</a> to get access to all the features.

It was inevitable that someone this month would eventually ask McLaren CEO Zak Brown what lessons had been learned from the team's disastrous venture to Indianapolis in 2019, that resulted in Fernando Alonso's failure to qualify. He went into quite a long explanation, but he didn't need to: he had already nailed the answer in one sentence: "I think the biggest lesson we've learned is, 'Don't do what we did last year.'"

And they haven't. The partnership with Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports to form Arrow McLaren SP made so much sense and it's already bearing fruit. Despite hiring two hugely inexperienced IndyCar drivers - albeit, the last two Indy Lights champions – the team has already earned a pole and runner-up finish with Patricio 'Pato' O'Ward at Road America, and Oliver Askew delivered a podium finish at Iowa Speedway.

Previous article IndyCar extends GP of Portland contract through 2023
Next article Hildebrand's new helmet calls for social justice, equality

More from David Malsher-Lopez

The long evolution of Dallara's Indy 500 winner

The long evolution of Dallara's Indy 500 winner

Prime
Prime
Indy IndyCar
Indy 500
The long evolution of Dallara's Indy 500 winner The long evolution of Dallara's Indy 500 winner
IMSA Laguna Seca: Ganassi Cadillac holds off Porsche for victory

IMSA Laguna Seca: Ganassi Cadillac holds off Porsche for victory

IMSA IMSA
Laguna Seca
IMSA Laguna Seca: Ganassi Cadillac holds off Porsche for victory IMSA Laguna Seca: Ganassi Cadillac holds off Porsche for victory
O’Ward, Rossi impressed by McLaren’s “massive step forward”

O’Ward, Rossi impressed by McLaren’s “massive step forward”

Indy IndyCar
Grand Prix of Indianapolis
O’Ward, Rossi impressed by McLaren’s “massive step forward” O’Ward, Rossi impressed by McLaren’s “massive step forward”
Palou surprised rivals didn’t use his winning tire strategy

Palou surprised rivals didn’t use his winning tire strategy

Indy IndyCar
Grand Prix of Indianapolis
Palou surprised rivals didn’t use his winning tire strategy Palou surprised rivals didn’t use his winning tire strategy
IndyCar GP Indy: Palou perfect, beats McLaren drivers, Lundgaard

IndyCar GP Indy: Palou perfect, beats McLaren drivers, Lundgaard

Indy IndyCar
Grand Prix of Indianapolis
IndyCar GP Indy: Palou perfect, beats McLaren drivers, Lundgaard IndyCar GP Indy: Palou perfect, beats McLaren drivers, Lundgaard
Indy NXT Indianapolis: Nannini holds off Foster for victory

Indy NXT Indianapolis: Nannini holds off Foster for victory

IndL Indy NXT
Indianapolis
Indy NXT Indianapolis: Nannini holds off Foster for victory Indy NXT Indianapolis: Nannini holds off Foster for victory
IndyCar GP Indy: Ericsson leads Rossi in warm-up

IndyCar GP Indy: Ericsson leads Rossi in warm-up

Indy IndyCar
Grand Prix of Indianapolis
IndyCar GP Indy: Ericsson leads Rossi in warm-up IndyCar GP Indy: Ericsson leads Rossi in warm-up
IMSA Laguna Seca: Campbell puts Porsche on top in FP1

IMSA Laguna Seca: Campbell puts Porsche on top in FP1

IMSA IMSA
Laguna Seca
IMSA Laguna Seca: Campbell puts Porsche on top in FP1 IMSA Laguna Seca: Campbell puts Porsche on top in FP1

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Australia