Bobby Travis · NASCAR/IndyCar Correspondent
A deal that extends well beyond the next season and locks in the team for the sport's major regulation overhaul.
Arrow McLaren announced on October 6, 2026, a multi-year extension of its engine partnership with Chevrolet. The agreement secures the collaboration through the 2027 season and includes the introduction of the new IndyCar car generation in 2028, sending a clear signal to competitors that the team remains firmly in General Motors' plans. Neither party disclosed the exact contract length.
Eyes Already on the 2028 Chassis
The timing of the extension is no accident. For 2028, IndyCar is preparing an entirely new chassis with the Dallara IR-28, featuring improved aerodynamics, optimized power-to-weight ratio, and new safety standards. That comes alongside a new 2.4-liter V6 with twin turbos and hybrid technology, with Chevrolet and Honda still refining the technical regulations. Anyone wanting to be at the front when such a major shift happens needs a head start, not last-minute scrambling.
That's exactly what the early contract renewal enables. McLaren and Chevrolet/General Motors engineers can now work closely on integrating the powertrain with the new chassis from the outset, rather than diving into details only shortly before launch. Eric Warren, Vice President of Global Motorsports Competition at General Motors, put it this way: "Arrow McLaren is a key part of Chevrolet's IndyCar program. This extension reflects the strength of the technical relationship we've built. As the series moves toward the next generation of car and powertrain, close collaboration between our engineering teams is critical."
Seven Years, 14 Wins, a Growing Track Record
The partnership traces back to McLaren's full-time IndyCar entry in 2020, initially as Arrow McLaren SP. Since then, the team has racked up 14 race wins, 54 podium finishes, and 13 pole positions, plus contributions to multiple Chevrolet manufacturer titles. These are the kind of numbers that transform an engagement into solid foundation.
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, put the extension in perspective: "Our renewal with Chevrolet is key to our overall goal of winning both the IndyCar championship and the Indy 500. Over the last seven seasons, the team and Chevy have worked closely through various technical evolutions." That's no throwaway statement. The Indy 500 remains every team's ultimate prize, and without a reliable engine partner, you can't seriously pursue it in the first place.
Powertrain Stability Meets a Strong Driver Lineup
While the engine question is now settled for years to come, Arrow McLaren is also reshaping its cockpit. Alongside figurehead Pato O'Ward, the team fields six-time champion Scott Dixon and Felix Rosenqvist, winner of the 2026 Indy 500, two more top-tier drivers that signal how seriously the team takes its stated ambitions.
The technical side is now secured for the next several years; the sporting side must deliver. With a locked-in engine partner and a driver roster of this caliber, Arrow McLaren should be among the teams that rivals will have to pass if they want to contend for the championship and Indy 500 in the seasons ahead.
