Arrow McLaren trying to shake INDYCAR underdog status, mimic F1 surge

THERMAL, Calif. — After sweeping the front row spots for the second INDYCAR race of the season, Arrow McLaren driver Christian Lundgaard quipped: "We're just trying to copy what they do in Formula 1."

People laughed. But, seriously, after what the team did at Thermal, it could be an actual conversation sooner than some would think, especially after last season.

The McLaren Formula 1 team opened with what could have been a historic day for McLaren by going one and two in China as Oscar Piastri won with Lando Norris finishing second.

Could Lundgaard or Pato O’Ward turn their front-row starting spots into a victory and complete the F1-INDYCAR sweep and even possibly go one and two? The last time McLaren achieved that feat came in May 1976 when Johnny Rutherford won the USAC champ car race at Trenton (N.J.) and James Hunt won the F1 race in Madrid.

The fact that McLaren had a late surge in 2024 that allowed the team to capture the F1 manufacturer’s title and then opened the F1 season with a couple of victories is not lost on the INDYCAR drivers.

"We're aware, man," said O’Ward, who won three INDYCAR races last year. "We want to be doing what F1 is currently doing. The fight here in INDYCAR is different. Definitely different.

"I think McLaren right now is leading the way in their situation, and we're still chasing. We're still chasing to be the best. ... We'll get there."

O’Ward can say that with confidence. 

He led 51 of the 65 laps Sunday before Alex Palou, with another great car, landed on the right tire strategy of when to have the softer, faster tires and passed O’Ward with 11 laps remaining for the win.

Last year, when Thermal was an exhibition all-star race, O’Ward didn’t even make it to the main event at Thermal. This