McLaren’s historic double duty: tackling Monaco and the Indy 500 on a legendary day of racing

Monaco Grand Prix Meets Indianapolis 500: McLaren’s Double-Duty Racing Legacy

On the final Sunday of May, two of motorsport's most revered events—the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500—played out mere hours apart, delivering a full-throttle spectacle for racing fans across the globe. These iconic races, separated by 4,500 miles, have historically come together for one action-packed day, dubbing this motorsport marathon as a "holiday" of competitive brilliance.

While the logistics of driving both races in a single day have proven impossible due to the Atlantic Ocean's separation, the question remains: What about doing double duty as a team? Enter McLaren Racing, the rare motorsport powerhouse that competes in both Formula 1 and IndyCar. Under the leadership of Zak Brown, McLaren has embraced the challenge of excelling in two distinct arenas, and this past weekend marked a critical chapter in their journey.

McLaren’s Expansion into IndyCar

Starting in 2020, McLaren expanded from its legendary F1 pedigree to reestablish itself in IndyCar under the Arrow McLaren banner. And although its teams are headquartered in Woking, England, and Indianapolis, Indiana, respectively, the connection between both disciplines is spearheaded by Brown—the California-born CEO who has wholeheartedly committed to building a cross-disciplinary racing juggernaut.

This year’s May 28 showdown wasn’t just another day at the office for McLaren. It was the final time the Monaco Grand Prix and Indianapolis 500 would share the same weekend for the foreseeable future, as the principality’s F1 race moves to June in 2024 under its agreement with Liberty Media. For Brown and McLaren, the stakes were clear: They had to make a statement.

Victory at Monaco: Norris Delivers

Zak Brown had a decision to make: Should he stay in Monte Carlo to oversee McLaren's Formula 1 team, or head to Indianapolis to back their IndyCar squad at the greatest spectacle in racing? The answer was simplified the moment Lando Norris secured McLaren their first pole position at Monaco since 2007. "Chance to win [Monaco], I'm staying. If we don’t have a chance to win, I’m going [to Indianapolis]," Brown stated.

His decision paid off in dramatic fashion. On the narrow streets of the principality, Norris masterfully converted his pole position into a long-awaited and hard-fought victory. "I think Zak’s just glad he doesn’t have to go to Indy!" Norris joked after the race.

The McLaren CEO, who reveled in the camaraderie of Monaco’s harborside celebrations with his wife Tracy, called the win a landmark moment in recent history for the papaya-colored team. For Norris, too, this victory fulfilled a dream: “I achieved something I will be proud to tell my kids about one day—that their dad won the Monaco Grand Prix.”

While Norris basked in his career-defining triumph, his teammate Oscar Piastri, who finished third, underscored McLaren’s transformation over the past two years. "What they’ve built… is truly special," the rookie remarked, emphasizing the synergy between McLaren's F1 and IndyCar teams.

Intense Battle at Indianapolis

Across the Atlantic, the scene at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway told a very different—but equally intense—story. Arrow McLaren’s garages opened early, buzzing with activity as IndyCar race day preparations blended with occasional glances toward Monaco.

"We’re certainly keeping an eye on things over there, where the boss is," said Tony Kanaan, the 2013 Indy 500 champion who serves as McLaren’s Indianapolis team principal.

From McLaren’s garage stalls along the Gasoline Alley to their hospitality tower overlooking Turn 1, the papaya orange uniforms stood out among the crowds. The team’s driver lineup, headlined by Pato O’Ward, Christian Lundgaard, rookie Nolan Siegel, and a guest driver in Kyle Larson—the NASCAR prodigy attempting the Indy-Charlotte double—remained laser-focused on one goal: winning the legendary race.

Unfortunately for Arrow McLaren, Sunday’s race ended without an Indy 500 victory for the team. O’Ward finished fourth after a grueling battle, while Lundgaard and Siegel grabbed ninth and 16th, respectively. Larson’s bid ended prematurely after a crash on Lap 92. Making things sting even more, Álex Palou, a driver embroiled in a $30 million contract dispute with McLaren, claimed his maiden Indy 500 victory.

The Future of Dual-Success

The finish left Brown contemplative but confident. "This is about building something lasting," Kanaan noted after the race. "We’re narrowing the gap. Just like our F1 friends, we want to be at the top—and Zak won’t settle for less."

McLaren’s ability to juggle the unique demands of two of racing’s largest stages speaks to the team’s innovative culture. Under Zak Brown, the organization has embraced a 24-hour, global mindset. Engineering teams in Woking analyze data from IndyCar entries, while insights from Indianapolis reinforce strategies back in F1.

This philosophy echoes the legacy of Bruce McLaren, the team’s founder, who dominated F1, endurance racing, and Can-Am competition in his era. As McLaren F1 legend Johnny Rutherford puts it:

"Used to be, there was no crossover. Today, it’s different—and for the better."

As the sun set on what may be the last shared Monaco-Indianapolis race day, McLaren showcased why it remains one of motorsport’s most ambitious enterprises. From Lando Norris’ dream-come-true in Monaco’s glitz to Arrow McLaren’s gritty determination at Indy, it’s clear the papaya team continues chasing victories with unrelenting ambition.

"We’re not done," O’Ward asserted firmly. "There’s more to come."

For McLaren, the double-duty legacy wasn’t just about living in two worlds—it was about redefining The Race in both. And as the checkered flag flew for the final time on this iconic day, it became equally clear: McLaren’s journey has just begun.

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