Arrow McLaren is grappling with a notable challenge in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as Chip Ganassi Racing's Alex Palou continues to dominate the race scene, recently securing his second victory of the season at The Thermal Club INDYCAR Grand Prix.
On March 23, 2025, Palou clinched another win by expertly utilizing a new set of Firestone alternate tires in the closing segment of the 65-lap race. Despite Arrow McLaren drivers Pato O'Ward and Christian Lundgaard starting strong, finishing second and third respectively, they found themselves powerless against Palou's remarkable comeback.
Palou's impressive performance allows him to assert a significant 39-point lead in the season standings before the month of March has even concluded. His consistent success has raised questions about how competitors, particularly at Arrow McLaren, can thwart his advancing victory streak.
Following the race, Lundgaard expressed the team's frustration, stating, “It’s tough seeing this guy beat us every single event. We’ve got to find a way to stop him.” O'Ward echoed this sentiment, observing, “It just seems like every time someone is winning, it's always Palou in the 10. He's obviously figured it out. He's got a great team behind him. We just need to keep pushing. There's really not another way.”
The race weekend began promisingly for Arrow McLaren as O'Ward captured the NTT P1 Award, marking his first pole since the 2022 Mid-Ohio race and his sixth career pole. Moving into the race, he took an early lead, having built a 13-second cushion over the competition.
O'Ward's strategy involved using a new set of alternate tires after successfully staying ahead for the first 55 laps. However, as pit stops approached for the final run, it became evident that Palou had gained the upper hand, ultimately overtaking O'Ward just four laps from the finish.
Reflecting on the missed opportunity, O'Ward acknowledged the team's tire strategy gamble, stating, “We took a gamble; it didn’t work out for us. We had used a new set of the alternates at the start because we really didn’t quite know what the wear was going to be like.” Meanwhile, Lundgaard was quick to realize the limitations of his pace compared to Palou’s tire advantage and added, “I tried to make him (Palou) lose as much time fairly as possible. We had some fun, but it didn't really seem to bother him.”
In addition to Palou's prowess, the race marked the first time since May 2023 that Arrow McLaren placed two drivers on the podium, a silver lining after O'Ward redeemed himself from a disappointing season opener at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, where he finished 11th after starting from 23rd.
Despite celebrating this small victory, Palou remains a formidable opponent. With this victory, he secured his 13th win overall, formally intensifying the competition as Lundgaard and O'Ward sit second and fourth in the standings, facing a steep hurdle to overcome during the subsequent races.
In a broader context, O'Ward recognized the growing competitive landscape in the INDYCAR series compared to Formula One, where McLaren has also been enjoying a streak of success with its drivers finishing first and second in China. “We want to be doing what (Piastri and Norris are) currently doing,” O'Ward said.
As rivals and the INDYCAR paddock look ahead, the pressure mounts to devise a strategy capable of unseating Palou from his position atop the standings. While there’s hope to tap into newfound momentum, the challenging task before Arrow McLaren is a clear reminder of Palou’s exceptional abilities and the caliber of competition that lies ahead when the racing season continues.
The INDYCAR series looks set for an exciting season, with every driver aware of the crucial adjustments needed to keep pace with a rapidly advancing champion.
