Montoya To Join Arrow McLaren SP for 2021 Indianapolis 500
December 09, 2020 | By Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Juan Pablo Montoya getting another chance at the Indianapolis 500 and is reuniting with McLaren to do it.
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Montoya will join Arrow McLaren SP for the 105th Running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” scheduled for Sunday, May 30, 2021.
“I’m very excited to be joining Arrow McLaren SP for the Indianapolis 500,” Montoya said. “I have some great history with McLaren from my F1 days, and I’m looking forward to making some more at next year’s Indianapolis 500.”
Montoya, who has four top-six finishes in five previous Indy 500s, will pilot a third Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet engineered by Craig Hampson alongside full-time drivers Pato O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist. It will be Montoya’s first attempt at Indianapolis since 2017, when he finished sixth.
“Arrow McLaren SP is thrilled to have a driver of Juan’s caliber join the team for next year’s Indianapolis 500,” said Arrow McLaren SP co-owner Sam Schmidt.
“His experience will elevate the entire team, including our young, talented lineup of Pato and Felix. When you think that he’s only started the Indy 500 five times but won it twice, that’s impressive.”
Montoya, who won his first Indianapolis 500 as a rookie in 2000 and his second 15 years later, competed for McLaren in Formula One in 2005 and 2006, winning three F1 races for the team.
The Colombian’s resume includes championships in CART and IMSA, with wins in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Formula One and NASCAR. He’s one of two active drivers with two of the three legs of the Triple Crown of motorsports of victories in the Indy 500, Monaco Grand Prix and 24 Hours of Le Mans. In addition to chasing a third Borg-Warner Trophy, Montoya is scheduled to chase his first win at Le Mans next season.
“I’m delighted for Juan to rejoin the McLaren family and return to the Indianapolis 500 with Arrow McLaren SP,” said Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing. “He is an intensely competitive, highly versatile driver, with deep experience at the top level of motorsport and a big following. Having him with us at the ‘500’ next year will be great for the team and INDYCAR fans everywhere.”