Arrow McLaren SP have announced their new team management structure for the 2023 IndyCar season.
Gavin Ward has a new role of Racing Director. Ward was the Director of Trackside Engineering for Arrow McLaren SP after spending several years as Josef Newgarden’s race engineer at Team Penske.
“I’m honored to step into this role and work alongside the other leaders to continue elevating Arrow McLaren SP and our competitiveness on the track,” said Ward in a team release. “Max (Neyron, Director of Operations), Nick (Snyder, Director of Performance), Billy and I have worked really well together this past season, so we already have established an impressive baseline that will lead to a smooth start for 2023. I’m really excited to see what the team will do and welcome Brian (Barnhart) to the team as well.”
Brian Barnhart is also a new addition to the team. The former IndyCar chief steward was most recently Alexander Rossi’s race strategist at Andretti Autosport. Both will continue to work together for 2023. Barnhart will be on the pit wall communicating with Rossi, who will compete in the No. 7 Chevrolet.
“I’m excited to join McLaren Racing as General Manager for Arrow McLaren SP,” Barnhart said in a team release. “The team has made incredible strides in challenging the top teams for the championship over the past two seasons. AMSP is full of talent, from their drivers to the mechanics and every position in between, and I’m honored to join them.”
Billy Vincent will continue in his role as Director of Competition and as in-race communicator with Felix Rosenqvist. Rosenqvist will shift from the No. 7 to the No. 6 Chevrolet for 2023.
As for the in-race communicator for Pato O’Ward, that role was filled by Team President Taylor Kiel. Kiel left Arrow McLaren SP shortly after the 2022 IndyCar season and O’Ward’s new in-race communicator has not been finalized.
