Juan Pablo Montoya to race in 2021 Indy 500 with McLaren SP

Montoya won the Indy 500 in 2000 as a rookie, and repeated the feat 15 years on with Team Penske.

Should he add a third Borg-Warner Trophy to his CV, it would make him the fifth-oldest winner of the famous race, two years younger than the overall record holder, Al Unser who was victorious at age 47 in 1982.

“I’m delighted for Juan to rejoin the McLaren family and return to the Indianapolis 500 with Arrow McLaren SP,” said CEO of McLaren Racing Zak Brown.

“He is an intensely competitive, highly versatile driver, with deep experience at the top level of motorsport and a big following. Having him with us at the 500 next year will be great for the team and IndyCar fans everywhere.”

Montoya has five IndyCar victories to his name including the two successes at Indianapolis, the latest coming in his final full-time season in the series back in 2016, coming at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Former F1 rival Fernando Alonso made an attempt to win the race with McLaren earlier this year in a one-off appearance but ended up a lap down in 21st by the chequered flag.

“Arrow McLaren SP is thrilled to have a driver of Juan’s calibre join the team for next year’s Indianapolis 500,” Arrow McLaren SP co-owner Sam Schmidt said.

“His experience will elevate the entire team, including our young, talented lineup of Pato and Felix. When you think that he’s only started the Indy 500 five times but won it twice, that’s impressive.”