Arrow McLaren Poised for Strong 2026 IndyCar Season

Consistent driver lineup and technical upgrades aim to challenge Penske and Ganassi dominance

Feb. 4, 2026 at 4:07pm

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As the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season approaches, the Arrow McLaren team enters with a stable driver lineup and renewed technical focus, aiming to build on their strong 2025 performance and solidify their position as a top contender. The team will field the same three drivers - Pato O'Ward, Nolan Siegel, and Christian Lundgaard - while also bolstering their technical staff with key hires like Olivier Boisson and Eric Cowdin. With continuity in the driver lineup and strategic investments in engineering, Arrow McLaren is poised to challenge the established order of Team Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing's dominance of the series.

Why it matters

Arrow McLaren emerged as the closest challenger to powerhouse teams Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Penske in 2025, and their ability to maintain that momentum and close the gap further in 2026 could shake up the competitive landscape of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. As traditional frontrunners look to rebound, Arrow McLaren's stability and technical upgrades give them a chance to solidify their status as a top contender and potentially end the long-running dominance of Penske and Ganassi.

The details

In 2025, Pato O'Ward finished second in the points standings with two victories, while Christian Lundgaard enjoyed a breakout season with six podiums. Nolan Siegel, in his first full season, showed promise but has room for improvement. During the offseason, Arrow McLaren has made key personnel changes, bringing in veteran engineer Olivier Boisson as head of damper engineering and Eric Cowdin as director of engineering, aimed at improving the team's street course performance. The team believes it can remain the top Chevrolet squad even with a potential resurgence from Team Penske, which struggled in 2025 but is expected to be more competitive in 2026.

  • The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season begins on March 1st with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
  • In 2025, Pato O'Ward secured two victories - at Iowa Speedway and on the streets of Toronto.

The players

Pato O'Ward

The Mexican driver finished second in the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES points standings, securing two victories and 10 top-five finishes.

Christian Lundgaard

The Danish driver enjoyed a breakout season in his first year with Arrow McLaren, significantly improving his results and doubling his career podium total to six.

Nolan Siegel

In his first full season, the young American driver finished 22nd in points but showed promise, doubling his career top-ten total to two and leading 11 laps.

Olivier Boisson

The new head of damper engineering at Arrow McLaren, Boisson brings a wealth of INDYCAR SERIES experience, having previously worked with KV Racing Technology, Dale Coyne Racing, and Andretti Global.

Eric Cowdin

The new director of engineering at Arrow McLaren, Cowdin is tasked with further strengthening the team's technical leadership.

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What they’re saying

“Thinking about Penske's '25 season, there was a lot of bad luck and a lot of unfortunate results. I think we were still faster all year round. I don't see that changing. What they're doing and what we're doing – we're all pushing to move forward. We just have to stick to it and keep doing what we're doing, and I think we'll be in the same position.”

— Christian Lundgaard

What’s next

The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season will kick off on March 1st with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, where Arrow McLaren will look to continue their strong performance and challenge the established order of Penske and Ganassi.

The takeaway

With a consistent driver lineup, strategic technical hires, and a proven track record of success, Arrow McLaren is poised to be a formidable challenger to the long-standing dominance of Team Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing in the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.