IndyCar: Oliver Askew to drive for Arrow McLaren Racing SP in 2020

By Asher Fair | Oct 30, 2019

MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 19: Marcus Ericsson #7 of Sweden and Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda drives through the Corkscrew turn during testing for the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on September 19, 2019 in Monterey, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

2019 Indy Lights champion Oliver Askew has been confirmed as one of the two drivers for Arrow McLaren Racing SP in the 2020 IndyCar season.

Along with winning the Indy Lights championship, drivers are awarded $1 million scholarships that guarantee them the ability to compete in at least three races in the following IndyCar season, including the Indianapolis 500.

2019 Indy Lights champion Oliver Askew is set to have a lot more than that.

Askew has been confirmed as one of Arrow McLaren Racing SP’s two full-time drivers for the 2020 season amid speculation that he would land there, either as the replacement for James Hinchcliffe, whose ties to Honda were believed to be a roadblock in terms of him staying with the team even with various reports stating that he would stick around, or for the Chip Ganassi Racing-bound Marcus Ericsson.

Here is what he had to say about the opportunity, according to IndyCar.

"“The new team brings together three great partners, and it’s an honor to be representing them in this new chapter for the team and for my career. This is an exciting new challenge for me and the next natural step after winning the Indy Lights title this year. I can’t wait to get started.”"

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Arrow McLaren Racing SP were formed after Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports announced that they would be partnering with McLaren and switching from Honda to Chevrolet engines for the 2020 season.

Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports reportedly tried to put Askew in Hinchcliffe’s #5 Honda for the 2019 season at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna after Hinchcliffe took part in nude photo shoots for ESPN The Body Issue, as title sponsor Arrow were blindsided by his participation and angered by the use of their logos in these photographs. Askew did not accept the offer, but that didn’t stop him from receiving nor turning down this full-time opportunity.

Askew is set to be the teammate to 2018 Indy Lights champion Patricio O’Ward, who has competed in eight IndyCar races in his career.

Here is what team co-owner Sam Schmidt had to say about the matter.

"“With our background in Indy Lights, I’ve followed Oliver and Pato closely over the last few years on the Road to Indy. I couldn’t think of a better pairing as we write the first chapter in Arrow McLaren SP’s story. They’ve proven their skills on the Road to Indy and with an Indy Lights championship each, they are ready and deserving of full-time seats in IndyCar. I have no doubt that Oliver and Pato are the right drivers to move Arrow McLaren SP forward.”"

Here is what McLaren sporting director Gil de Ferran added.

"“As we look to establish Arrow McLaren SP and re-establish McLaren in the world of IndyCar, I’m delighted to be welcoming these two young, homegrown talents to the team. Oliver and Pato represent the new generation of IndyCar drivers. Proven winners and exciting prospects, I have no doubt that they will form an excellent pairing as we take on the 2020 season."

The 22-year-old Jupiter, Florida native won the 2019 Indy Lights championship driving for Andretti Autosport. He won seven of the season’s 18 races as a rookie having just finished in third place in the 2018 Pro Mazda Championship standings driving for Cape Motorsports with one victory in 16 races. He won the 2017 U.S. F2000 National Championship driving for Cape Motorsports with seven victories in 14 races.

Askew is set to be the first reigning Indy Lights champion to land a full-time ride the following season since 2016 champion Ed Jones drove for Dale Coyne Racing in the 2017 season. He tested an IndyCar for the first time in August for Chip Ganassi Racing.

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The 2020 IndyCar season is scheduled to get underway on Sunday, March 15 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.