IndyCar: McLaren cars to run historic liveries at Indy 500

–Press Release–

McLaren Racing today announced a special livery series for Arrow McLaren in the 2023 Indianapolis 500, celebrating the team’s historic Triple Crown accolade as part of its 60th anniversary.

The livery series will be unveiled at an open event for fans and media at the Lifestyle Expo at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday 14th of April.

Widely considered the greatest accomplishment in racing, the Triple Crown is achieved through winning the three most prestigious races in motorsport: the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indy 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. McLaren’s Triple Crown is comprised of victories at the Indy 500 in 1974 with Johnny Rutherford, the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix with Alain Prost, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995 with JJ Lehto, Yannick Dalmas and Masanori Sekiya.

For the 107th Running of the Indy 500 in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Arrow McLaren, with the support of Arrow Electronics, NTT DATA and SmartStop, will field four Chevrolets, each carrying a unique commemorative livery. Three of these will represent the individual race wins from McLaren’s Triple Crown, and one will reflect the collective achievement.

The livery series forms a part of McLaren’s 60th birthday celebrations in 2023, honoring iconic moments throughout its history, celebrating some of the team’s greatest achievements and the proud legacy built by team founder Bruce McLaren.

For the April 20-21 Open Test and Indy 500 practice rounds, qualifying and the iconic race itself at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet piloted by Pato O’Ward will run in an all-black livery in tribute to the F1 GTR that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans on McLaren’s first attempt.

The No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevrolet piloted by Felix Rosenqvist will carry a representation of the iconic MP4/2 livery, in which Alain Prost earned McLaren’s inaugural Monaco Grand Prix victory.

Alexander Rossi’s No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet will race in full papaya to commemorate the M16C/D in which Johnny Rutherford claimed McLaren’s maiden Indy 500 victory in 1974.

The liveries for the No. 5, No. 6 and No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolets will be unveiled at an open event for fans and media at the Lifestyle Expo, Friday 14 April at 09:00am PST, ahead of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. The reveal will be attended by McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, Arrow McLaren Racing Director Gavin Ward, and Arrow McLaren drivers Pato O’Ward, Felix Rosenqvist and Alexander Rossi. Tony Kanaan, who will pilot the team’s fourth car entry for the Indy 500, will emcee the Long Beach event.

Earlier this year, Tony announced that this will be his last ever Indy 500. Tony’s No. 66 SmartStop Arrow McLaren Chevrolet livery will be unveiled ahead of the April Open Test date. This car will be inspired by the collective achievement that is the Triple Crown.

Further celebrations will be revealed throughout the Month of May across McLaren’s other race series to commemorate the prestigious Triple Crown achievement.

Fans will be able to join the team in celebrating the campaign with limited-edition Triple Crown merchandise, with select pieces available for purchase onsite in Long Beach. The collection will also be available online from the McLaren Store in May, and on-site at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway through the Indy 500 race week. The special range will feature collaborations with popular brands Mitchell & Ness, New Era and Castore, with items including caps, jerseys and hoodies in the bespoke Triple Crown style.

Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, said:

“We are proud to have achieved motorsport’s prestigious Triple Crown as a constructor. In our 60th year, we are shining a light on the legacy of the team that Bruce McLaren built and role this plays in fueling our ambitions for the future of the team.

“As a life-long McLaren fan, I fondly remember watching Alain Prost’s dramatic 1984 Monaco victory and the incredible moment when the team conquered Le Mans on its debut entry. Meanwhile, Johnny Rutherford’s first Indy 500 win in papaya is one of the most important moments in McLaren Racing history. I can’t wait to see our four-car star-studded line-up flying the colors of our Triple Crown victories at this year’s Indy 500.”

Gavin Ward, Racing Director, Arrow McLaren, said:

“I like to encourage the team, every time they pull on a Papaya race shirt, to think about the incredible achievements of this team and what it means to play our part in adding to that rich history. That significance will be even greater in May when we roll our cars to the grid for the Indianapolis 500 with these stunning liveries honoring McLaren Racing’s Triple Crown legacy.”