Tensions have arisen within Arrow McLaren ahead of the IndyCar season‑finale at Laguna Seca, as Pato O’Ward sharply responded to departing teammate Christian Lundgaard regarding allegations about the team’s oval setup.
The tension escalated when Lundgaard, driver of the #7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet and slated to leave the team in 2027 despite two victories and a runner‑up position this season, criticized the team’s oval program before the recent Milwaukee doubleheader, attributing his setup difficulties to the #5 driver.
“First, you need teammates who share the same requirements,” Lundgaard remarked. “In my view, Scott (Dixon) and Felix (Rosenqvist) will struggle with Pato in this area; he operates in a markedly different manner. During my tenure, oval performance has consistently moved in a single direction for an unclear reason.”
Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren
Photo by: Finn Gomez via Getty Images
In a recent interview with ESPN Deportes, O’Ward directly refuted his teammate’s accusations, dismissing them as mere smoke and mirrors.
“Each IndyCar driver operates in isolation,” O’Ward explained. “I understand Christian often claims the car is tailored specifically for him and that it moves only as he directs. However, his assertion that the oval program is exclusively for his preferences is inaccurate.”
O’Ward noted that drivers employ distinct setups for each circuit.
Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren
Photo by: Jake Galstad / Lumen via Getty Images
“I’m aware that many claim everything is set for Pato,” he said. “The truth is that I have struggled with ovals all season; the only success I’ve had is at Milwaukee, while the other events have been challenging. Even Indianapolis was mediocre, and the remaining races were poor compared with earlier years, so if everything were truly for me, I would have won those races as well—this is pure smoke.”
Although a runner‑up finish would equal his career‑best result from 2025, O’Ward stressed that his motivation at Laguna Seca is driven solely by personal performance, not by a desire for intra‑team retaliation.
“In recent years that has been the norm,” O’Ward said. “I have typically been the team leader, and Christian has had an outstanding season. Regardless of whether I finish second or third, I don’t specifically target another driver; I aim to perform as high as possible, which would match my previous year’s result.”
He added, “I aim to finish second in the championship because that’s the best we can achieve this weekend; a strong performance at Milwaukee made that possible, and that’s exactly what has unfolded.”