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IndyCar: Arrow McLaren Racing SP’s driver pairing the first of its kind since 2000

By Asher Fair

MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 19: James Hinchcliffe #5 of United States and Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda drives during testing for the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on September 19, 2019 in Monterey, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 19: James Hinchcliffe #5 of United States and Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda drives during testing for the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on September 19, 2019 in Monterey, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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Arrow McLaren Racing SP’s driver pairing of Patricio O’Ward and Oliver Askew for the 2020 IndyCar season is the first of its kind since the 2000 CART season.

Last week, Arrow McLaren Racing SP confirmed their driver lineup for the 2020 IndyCar season after months of speculation.

They confirmed a complete lineup overhaul from last year, with 2018 and 2019 Indy Lights champions Patricio O’Ward and Oliver Askew set to replace the now ride-seeking James Hinchcliffe and the Chip Ganassi Racing-bound Marcus Ericsson.

This lineup confirmation makes their two-driver lineup for the 2020 season the youngest lineup among all teams on next year’s grid. O’Ward, who hails from Monterrey, Mexico, is just 20 years old while Askew, who hails from Jupiter, Florida, is just 22.

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This lineup is also the first of its kind since the 2000 CART season.

Not since 1998 and 1999 Indy Lights champions Cristiano da Matta and Oriol Servia drove for PPI Motorsports in the 2000 season had the past two Indy Lights champions driven for the same IndyCar team

Da Matta and Servia experienced varying levels of success in the 2000 season. After driving for Arciero-Wells Racing in the 1999 season, da Matta earned his first career podium finish, a third place finish, at Burke Lakefront Airport and then his first career victory at Chicagoland Speedway in the 20-race 2000 season en route to a 10th place finish in the championship standings.

Servia, a rookie, finished in 13th in the standings. Throughout the season, his best finish was his maiden podium finish, a third place finish in the race on the streets of Bell Isle.

As far as two consecutive Indy Lights champions being on the same team at any time, that just happened last year. 2015 champion Spencer Pigot drove full-time for Ed Carpenter Racing while 2016 champion Ed Jones drove for the team in the road and street course races as well as the Indianapolis 500.

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How much success will Patricio O’Ward and Oliver Askew experience in their first year together driving for Arrow McLaren Racing SP in the 2020 IndyCar season? They are both loaded with potential, but many questions remain regarding how the newly formed Chevrolet team will perform in their maiden season following the establishment of the partnership between Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and McLaren.