INDIANAPOLIS – Arrow McLaren SP announced late Monday afternoon that Oliver Askew will not return to the team in 2021.
Askew, who sat out the most recent NTT IndyCar Series events on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course after suffering from concussion symptoms, will compete for the team in the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Oct. 25 if he is declared fit to compete by IndyCar medial officials.
Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves replaced Askew during the IndyCar Harvest GP doubleheader weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“We believe that Oliver has a great deal of talent and potential for the future. He has had an incredibly difficult rookie year, with a lack of overall track time and recent medical issues,” said Arrow McLaren SP co-owner Sam Schmidt. “We want to give Oliver the time to pursue new opportunities for 2021 and the ability to race at St Pete. Come the end of the year, we will wish Oliver the very best in all of his future endeavors and he will always be a friend of the team.”
This is Askew’s first year in the NTT IndyCar Series after winning the Indy Lights title in 2019. His best finish this year was a third-place finish at Iowa Speedway.
“It’s been a steep learning curve this year but I appreciate all of the experience I have gotten with Arrow McLaren SP. I’ve certainly had to develop very quickly as a driver and I know I have shown my speed and capability when able to this season. However, I think it makes sense to pursue the next chapter of my career outside the team,” said Askew. “I am grateful for all the support I’ve received from my crew, the team and all the fans. I wish the entire team well in the future.”
The team plans to confirm its driver lineup for 2021 in the near future.