The brand new McLaren SP team is expected to make an official announcement regarding its 2020 drivers' lineup this week. According to multiple sources, James Hinchcliffe has been shown the door while Patricio O'Ward and Oliver Askew are set to join the Woking based team.
As reported by the Racer Magazine, McLaren has opted for an entirely fresh lineup of drivers for their debut IndyCar season. Both O'Ward and Askew are IndyLights champions and boast an excellent record at junior level racing.
However, James Hinchcliffe, who was earlier being reported to have secured a drive with McLaren SP for 2020, is now out of the picture. The Canadian driver is arguably one of the most famous personalities in IndyCar. The future for James was uncertain right from the moment when McLaren announced its partnership with Schmidt Peterson Motorsport back in August.
Given a turbulent past with Honda in Formula 1, McLaren SP immediately announce a brand new engine partnership with Chevrolet instead. This announcement coupled with the fact that James happens to be the Spokesperson for Honda America, had put his position in jeopardy.
Although, the Canadian star soon afterwards, announced that he expected to remain with the all new McLaren SP team for the next season, his decision was never officially backed by McLaren itself.
McLaren had returned to the stateside back in 2017, with an entry in Indianapolis 500. The team used Honda power with Fernando Alonso at the wheel, who unfortunately had to retire from the race due to an engine failure at later stages.
Another comeback by the F1 giant with Fernando Alonso and Chevrolet was marred with setbacks earlier this year, when McLaren failed to make it to the 33 car starting grid. This debacle was soon followed up with an announcement to compete in IndyCar full time from 2020 onward.
Patricio O'Ward was contacted by McLaren SP as soon as he was released by Red Bull earlier this month. O'Ward, who won the 2018 IndyLights championship, failed to race in IndyCar full season this year due to financial constraints.
He was then signed by Red Bull in an effort to make way for his Formula 1 debut in future, which didn't materialize since O'Ward wasn't able to secure an FIA super license.
Oliver Askew on the other hand is the current IndyLights champion, having won 7 out of the 18 races in 2019 season with Andretti Autosport. Askew was in contention for a 3rd seat at Chip Ganassi for 2020 due to a test he had done with the team earlier this year. Howbeit, it was former F1 driver Marcus Ericsson, who landed that 3rd seat at Ganassi instead.
James Hinchcliffe might be able to get a 3rd seat with Bobby Rahal, helped by his strong ties to Honda America. Though, nothing is certain at the moment. Hinchcliffe currently has 6 wins in IndyCar with a pole at the 2016 Indianapolis 500 to his name.
The former SPM driver suffered a horrible crash during the practice session of the 2015 Indianapolis 500. Hinchcliffe barely managed to stay alive as rescue efforts went on and he was airlifted to a hospital for a successful surgery afterwards.
It is needless to say, that James' performance has taken a hit ever since, as he has been unable to show the same raw pace again, as was before his crash.
McLaren SP had earlier tried to secure the services of both Alexander Rossi as well as Colton Herta but failed to sign either of the drivers, who both will race with Andretti Autosport next year.
A part of this article was originally published by the Racer Magazine. Click here
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