IndyCar: Arrow SPM split with Honda, form partnership with McLaren, Chevrolet

Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports have split with Honda and formed a partnership with McLaren and Chevrolet for the 2020 IndyCar season.

Amid growing speculation that it might happen, Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports have officially cut ties with Honda and formed a partnership with McLaren and Chevrolet that will bring the Woking-based team back to IndyCar on a full-time basis for the 2020 season.

The possibility of such a partnership occurring began to circulate last week, although Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports team co-owner Sam Schmidt made clear that the team had one year left on their contract with the Japanese manufacturer.

However, that ended up not mattering, as the two teams have officially formed a partnership to become Arrow McLaren Racing Schmidt Peterson (Arrow McLaren Racing SP).

Here is what Schmidt had to say about this new deal, according to IndyCar.

"“I’m extremely proud of the team that Ric and I have built and that a legendary brand like McLaren Racing has decided to partner with us to form Arrow McLaren Racing SP to continue our march to the top of IndyCar. Arrow is a tremendous partner which has been integral to our growth as a team since 2015 and to the creation of this new partnership. The combined technical resources and commercial opportunities both McLaren and Arrow bring to the table provide a winning combination.”"

Here is what Ric Peterson, the team’s other co-owner, had to add, according to IndyCar.

"“I’m really excited that we could pull together our long-term partner Arrow and forge a new partnership with McLaren to become a unified force. I’m equally thrilled that Sam and I are able to continue on in our long-standing relationship together and maintain our ownership position in the company. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”"

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The relationship between McLaren and Honda deteriorated over the course of their failed three-year stint together in Formula 1 from the 2015 season through the 2017 season, and Honda remain unwilling to work with the team.

They even refused to supply them with engines for this year’s Indianapolis 500, which caused McLaren to go with Chevrolet engines. They ultimately failed to qualify for the race with two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso after forming a technical alliance with Carlin. Carlin had two of their regular three cars fail to qualify for this race as well.

Here is what McLaren CEO Zak Brown had to say about the team’s new partnership, according to IndyCar.

"“IndyCar has been part of McLaren since our early years of racing, and the series today provides not only a commercial platform to continue to grow our brand in North America, but competition with some of the best teams in international motorsport.“This team provides McLaren with the right synergy as a strategic partner for our return to the sport. We believe together we can help each other achieve our mutual ambitions. Sam Schmidt and Ric Peterson have built a solid foundation and we look forward to working together to take the team to the next level.“I’m absolutely delighted that we will expand our relationship with Arrow Electronics across both F1 and IndyCar, while renewing our long affinity with Chevrolet as our engine partner. McLaren and Chevrolet have a special history together in North America and it is fitting they are part of our full-time return to IndyCar.“We come to IndyCar in full respect of the sport, our competitors, the fans and the task ahead. At our core, we at McLaren are racers and where there’s competition that puts us to the test, we will race. The NTT IndyCar Series provides such a challenge.”"

The partnership between Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and McLaren is set to feature two cars, although the drivers for these two cars have not been confirmed. James Hinchcliffe is under contract with Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports through the 2020 season, but so was Honda, and Hinchcliffe has deep ties to Honda, which may result in him seeking other options.

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Which drivers will end up driving for Arrow McLaren Racing SP in the 2020 IndyCar season following the announcement of this partnership? Will James Hinchcliffe return for the final year of his contract? If not, where will he end up?