Arrow McLAREN 2025 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Race Preview
"I just can't wait to get out there and compete again"
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will take its first official laps of the 2025 season on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. this weekend.
It's time to go racing again.
After the INDYCAR Group Test at Sebring International Raceway Febuary 17-18, the Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team will be on track on Friday, February 28 before race day on March 2.
Pato O'Ward, Nolan Siegel and Christian Lundgaard will behind the wheel of their respective Arrow McLaren Chevrolets.
Learn more about the drivers are saying ahead of the season-opening event.
| Location | St. Petersburg, Fla. |
| Race Date | March 2 |
| Round | 1 out of 17 |
| Total Laps | 100 laps |
| Total Race Distance | 180 miles / 289.68 km |
| Length | 1.8 miles / 2.9 km |
| Number of Turns | 14 |
Pato O'Ward, Driver, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
Career at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
| Total Starts | 5 |
| Best Starting Position | P3 (2024) |
| Best Finishing Position | P1Â (2024) |
| 2023 Result | P1 |
"I’m pumped to be back in St. Pete for the season opener. This place always brings a great atmosphere and is a perfect spot to kick off the season. Coming back as the defending race winner is awesome, but it just makes us even hungrier to start the season strong and put the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet up front again. We're looking forward to kicking off the weekend with our car launch before getting back behind the wheel and give it everything we’ve got."
Nolan Siegel, Driver, No. 6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
"It’s been a busy offseason putting in the work to make sure we come into St. Pete ready to deliver. From all the simulator work to time in the gym and meetings with the crew, we’ve focused on every detail to maximize our performance this season. The car launch will be a cool moment for the team to kick off the weekend before we go racing for the first time, and I just can't wait to get out there and compete again."
Christian Lundgaard, Driver, No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
Career at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
| Total Starts | 3 |
| Best Starting Position | P11 (2023) |
| Best Finishing Position | P9Â (2022) |
| 2023 Result | P18 |
"We've been working hard all offseason to be ready for the green flag in St. Petersburg and now it's finally here. I'm looking forward to kicking off my first race with Arrow McLaren and starting the season strong. We had a quality test at Sebring last week, so I think that'll help us roll off the truck well into the first session on Friday. I'm looking forward to unveiling our new livery with our partners ahead of the race and kicking off the season the right way."
Session Start Times
| Practice 1 | Friday, 3:05-4:25Â p.m. ET | FS1 |
| Practice 2 | Saturday, 10:15-11:15 a.m. ET | FS2 |
| Qualifying | Saturday, 2:30-4:00 p.m. ET | FS1 |
| Warmup | Sunday, 9:02-9:27Â a.m. ET | FS2 |
| Race Tune In | Sunday, 12:00 p.m. ET | FOX |
| Green Flag | Sunday, 12:30 p.m. ET | FOX |