The Arrow McLaren IndyCar squad will feature Pato O’Ward, Nolan Siegel, and Christian Lundgaard in their 2025 driver roster. Recently, team principal Tony Kanaan openly addressed the relationship between O’Ward and his teammates, revealing a lack of friendship among them ahead of the 2025 Detroit Grand Prix.
During a conversation with IndyCar on FOX, Kanaan explained that while O’Ward and Lundgaard are not friends, their competitive relationship is productive and respectful within the team environment.
“Their vibe, they are not friends, which is fine, I mean Christian wants to beat Pato; it’s Pato’s team, quote unquote. They are extremely respectful, Nolan is a rookie so he is there like trying to learn as much as he can, but between Pato and Christian, it is very healthy and productive for the team. Are they friends like I was with Dario or Dixon? No,” Kanaan said (0:10 onwards).
Currently, O’Ward leads the Arrow McLaren drivers in the 2025 IndyCar standings, holding second place with 194 points, followed closely by Lundgaard in third with 181 points. Rookie Nolan Siegel is positioned much lower, in 19th place with 82 points.
Challenges Faced by Pato O’Ward at the Detroit Grand Prix Weekend
Pato O’Ward’s 2025 campaign has been marked by fluctuating performances, with difficulties in securing consistent finishes both in qualifying sessions and the main races. This inconsistency has affected his points tally in comparison to the current championship leader, Alex Palou, who drives for Chip Ganassi and sits comfortably at the top with 306 points, significantly ahead of O’Ward’s 191.
Despite a notable third-place finish at the Indianapolis 500 on May 25, O’Ward struggled during qualifying for the Detroit Grand Prix, starting from 18th position. Reflecting on the tough weekend, he expressed a cautious outlook on what the race day might bring.
“It’s been a really difficult and challenging weekend. We’ll just have to see what tomorrow could bring,” O’Ward said via Arrow McLaren.
O’Ward’s Career Progress and the Stakes of the 2025 Season
Pato O’Ward has competed in IndyCar since his debut at the 2018 Grand Prix of Sonoma. Although he has come close to winning the drivers‘ championship in previous seasons, the title has so far remained elusive. Last year, he finished the campaign in fifth place with 460 points, claiming three victories and six top-five finishes over 17 races.
With the 2025 season underway and O’Ward currently holding the second position in the standings, the upcoming races—including the Detroit Grand Prix—are crucial in determining if he can maintain or improve this standing heading toward the season’s conclusion.