McLaren at the Indy 500: Drivers, Cars & 2026 Race Preview

The Arrow McLaren IndyCar had a mixed bag for the Indy 500 weekend after the joy of the Sonsio Grand Prix, as Christian Lundgaard scored his first career victory over heavily favored Alex Palou.

The purple PrizePicks McLaren got on the track. Ryan Hunter-Reay mentioned the trimmed-out car lost some speed, but understeer was a real problem. Still, the former Indy 500 winner knows what it takes to win at Indianapolis. 

The McLaren IndyCar team got a boost for one of the biggest race weekends in the U.S., with enough pace to get Pato O’Ward into the Firestone Fast Six. 

Let’s look into McLaren at the Indy 500, ranging from the drivers and cars to a 2026 race preview — just in time for the race from Indianapolis. Let’s rev those engines. 

🏎️ Make your Indy 500 predictions now to claim $50 on PrizePicks with promo code PLAYBOOK

{{f1_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}

McLaren Drivers & Cars Take the Stage at Indy 500

PrizePicks and Arrow McLaren announced an exclusive multi-faceted partnership during Miami Grand Prix week, making PrizePicks an Official Partner of the Indianapolis-based race team.

Now, the No. 31 PrizePicks Arrow McLaren Chevrolet IndyCar was unveiled ahead of the 110th Indy 500. The time is now, as Ryan Hunter-Reay will begin from the 22nd position on the Indy 500 starting grid. 

It was a little concerning that the Arrow McLaren team couldn’t generate the pace needed to get more than one car into the top 12; Lundgaard will start 18th on Sunday. Maybe Lundgaard tried to turn in four laps a little too early. With greasy conditions, it became a theme for McLaren for the most part.

McLaren has one driver, Pato O’Ward, who could be a contender for a win at Indianapolis. Nolan Siegel had understeer problems like Hunter-Reay and starts 20th. 

The Indy 500 is the headliner, and IndyCar fans already have takes before the McLaren cars take the green flag. Being an official partner, PrizePicks is where to go to make your IndyCar predictions.

Make your Indy 500 predictions on PrizePicks on drivers to win, podium, and more.

McLaren IndyCar Team for Indy 500: Pato O’Ward Leads the Way

McLaren knows Indianapolis well, as does Arrow McLaren. However, they initially lacked much pace. O’Ward’s car harnessed enough speed to make it into the top 12, then squeaked into the Firestone Fast Six.

Unfortunately, what had worked in the past did not hold as the final qualifying session got underway. O’Ward felt the car slide all around the track. No adjustments could help the Arrow McLaren car, as the driver had to settle for a 6th-place start on Sunday afternoon. 

Ward is an underdog to Palou once again, which causes some unease.

Bottom line: Arrow McLaren faces a bit of an uphill battle if O’Ward truly wants to contend. The pace and control of the McLaren had been persistent issues. Can O’Ward and his pit crew find the speed at the right time?

For PrizePicks users making their IndyCar predictions, that matters. Sprint weekends give you more data, track time, and chances to see who actually has pace before Sunday’s race.

McLaren’s O’Ward now has a 6.66x payout to win the 2026 Indy 500, according to PrizePicks. The question again boils down to identifying the necessary adjustments and getting the good breaks that have largely eluded O’Ward despite leading 95 laps in his career at Indianapolis. 

Make your Indy 500 winner prediction on PrizePicks now!

McLaren Indy 500 Race Preview for PrizePicks

IndyCar fans can make their Indy 500 picks on PrizePicks throughout the weekend, including picks on O’Ward, Hunter-Reay, Lundgaard, or the rest of the field to win the 500-mile race or secure top-10 or podium finishes. 

If you think O’Ward can finally pull off the victory at Indianapolis, don’t just post it. Lock in your prediction on PrizePicks and earn money if you’re right. 

Think Lundgaard can pull off a surprising top 10 on Sunday afternoon? Run that on PrizePicks. Think Hunter-Reay can end up in the top 10 as well? You can pick it on PrizePicks Team Picks. Place differential happens at Indianapolis in very unexpected ways. 

{{f1_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}

Pato O’Ward to Win Indy 500: Predictions, Payouts

O’Ward is the current favorite McLaren across the board this weekend.  

Numbers below represent payout multipliers for PrizePicks team Picks. For example, a $100 entry on a 2.38x market pays out $238. Higher multipliers represent less likely outcomes based on user picks. Payouts are live as of writing but are subject to change.

Here are Pato O’Ward’s payouts on PrizePicks for the Indy 500 weekend, including to win Sunday’s 500-mile race, plus Player Picks projections. 

Indy 500 Podium (Top 3): Yes 2.38x | No 1.31x

Indy 500 Top 10: Yes 1.17x | No 2.7x

… more to come

Make your Pato O’Ward Indy 500 Predictions on PrizePicks.

Christian Lundgaard to Win Indy 500: Predictions, Payouts

Christian Lundgaard will start 18th for the Indy 500 on Sunday. He’s a long shot to land on the podium. However, anything can happen in Indianapolis. Here are his payouts for the most available Indy 500 prediction markets on PrizePicks.

Win Indy 500: Yes 33.33x 

Indy 500 Podium (Top 3): Yes 8.33x 

Indy 500 Top 10: Yes: 3.22x | No 1.09x

… more to come

Make your Christian Lundgaard Indy 500 Predictions on PrizePicks.

Nolan Siegel to Win Indy 500: Predictions, Payouts

Nolan Siegel starts 20th for the Indy 500 on Sunday and is also among the long shots to land on the podium. He started 24th and finished 13th in his Indy 500 debut. Here are his payouts for the most available Indy 500 prediction markets on PrizePicks.

Win Indy 500: Yes 33.33x 

Indy 500 Podium (Top 3): Yes 8.33x 

Indy 500 Top 10: Yes: 6.25x

… more to come

Make your Nolan Siegel Indy 500 Predictions on PrizePicks.

Ryan Hunter-Reay Debuts the Purple for Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team

Indy is where the PrizePicks purple really takes over.

PrizePicks serves as the Primary Partner for Ryan Hunter-Reay’s No. 31 PrizePicks Arrow McLaren Chevrolet at the Indianapolis 500.

Hunter-Reay is a 2014 Indy 500 winner and 2012 INDYCAR SERIES champion, bringing a winning pedigree to Arrow McLaren’s fourth entry for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500. 

The No. 31 car may start 22nd (fourth among the McLarens), but the 45-year-old has run at Indianapolis 17 times. He has the experience to make up positions. 

The No. 31 PrizePicks Arrow McLaren Chevrolet’s big day is on May 24. Here are Hunter-Reay’s numbers for PrizePicks.

Win Indy 500: Yes 33.33x 

Indy 500 Podium (Top 3): Yes 8.33x 

Indy 500 Top 10: Yes: 2.77x | No 1.17x

… more to come

Make your Ryan Hunter-Reay Indy 500 Predictions on PrizePicks.

Indy 500 PrizePicks Promo Code PLAYBOOK: Get $50 Instantly for IndyCar Predictions

New to PrizePicks? Use PrizePicks promo code PLAYBOOK to get $50 instantly in Lineups after you play your first $5 Lineup — win or lose.

That means you can sign up, make your first $5 lineup, and get extra Lineups in your account to keep making picks for the Indy 500 on Sunday, NBA, MLB, NHL, and more.

Use code PLAYBOOK at sign up (or click here), make your first $5 Lineup, and get $50 instantly to keep riding with your picks this F1 season.

{{f1_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}

Make Your Indy 500 Picks on PrizePicks

McLaren has some potential at the Indy 500. O’Ward starts sixth, which may not be a bad thing with the other McLarens in 18th, 20th, and 22nd.

With O’Ward on the prowl, could purple get into the mix? IndyCar predictions primed in the PrizePicks app.

Make your Indy 500 picks count on PrizePicks now — new users get $50 instantly in Lineups.