Arrow McLaren SP is looking at a five-year return plan for Robert Wickens as they speak highly of new recruits Patrio O’Ward and Oliver Askew.
Arrow McLaren SP signed young talents O’ward and Askew for the upcoming IndyCar season, moving on from James Hinchcliffe and Marcus Ericsson and co-onwer Sam Schmidt expressed his excitement and predicted wins already.
“I think, two guys, young guns, it’s definitely support for the Mazda Road to Indy, putting our money where our mouth is with that one,” said Schmidt. “We’re excited I think these guys are very very talented, and they’ve got a great support team here at Arrow McLaren SP to make the most of it, we’re expecting to win.”
At the same time, the 2020 IndyCar livery launch event saw Arrow McLaren SP naming Wickens as their unofficial driver coach as the Canadian recovers from the heavy incident at Pocono in 2018. Thee team has a five-year plan to help him return in racing.
“The ‘five years out’ program started with Sam,” said Arrow Electronics’ CEO Michael Long. “Getting him in a car and getting him to drive, and then our ability to take technology and make life better is what we strive for.
“And Sam thought we could do that by being a part of IndyCar, and it has worked out, and the best part about it is the new ‘five years’ is getting Robby back in an IndyCar, and using the technology to be able to do that.
“We’re really pleased to be here, we’ve got some great rookie drivers and I’ll use that term I guess until a year and then it’s over, and they have the best coach in the world, they got the best team in the world, and they have a lot of people behind ’em so we should have a really great year.”
Speaking about the re-branding, Wickens added that their partnership will be a strong asset for the team. The Canadian also feels that O’Ward and Askew will build off of each other in the season and learn their way through to lead Arrow McLaren.
“I think it’s gonna be pretty exciting, you know, we’re really going to hit the ground running for sure, but I think testing is gonna be the first thing where we can actually work as a team,” said Wickens. “[Previously] it’s been one car running at each time.
“Pato’s done one day, Oliver’s done one day, and I think the strength in our team is gonna be the two guys working hand-in-hand and pushing each other’s level back and forth, and it’s gonna be a competitive atmosphere, it’s gonna be a strong atmosphere, and I think everyone’s kinda waiting to get started.”
Here’s the photo of 2020 Arrow McLaren IndyCar
The story was co-written by Darshan Chokhani