McClaren bought out the final year left on Hinchcliffe's contract to drive for the teamGETTY IMAGES
IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe "has lost his ride" with the new Arrow McLaren Racing SP team, according to Norris McDonald of the TORONTO STAR. A source said Hinchcliffe "was bought out" by the team Sunday and that younger drivers Oliver Askew and Pato O'Ward would race for the team in '20. Hinchcliffe had a contract through next season, and it is "possible that he could be kept on in another capacity and the team could run a third and fourth car in the Indianapolis 500." When it was announced that the McLaren F1 team had purchased Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, there was "immediate speculation about Hinchcliffe's future." He has been "seen as 'the face' of Honda in Canada" and the U.S., appearing in commercials for the company and acting as an ambassador. One of the "first things the new McLaren owners did was cancel a contract with Honda in favour of signing with Chevrolet." There also was "internal disappointment about a decision by Hinchcliffe and two other team members -- who have since been let go -- to appear without clothing" in ESPN The Magazine's body issue (TORONTO STAR, 10/29).
IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR: NBCSPORTS.com's Bruce Martin notes Hinchcliffe is "easily the most popular driver in IndyCar because of his engaging personality." That has helped him land crossover appearances in both ESPN's body issue and on ABC's "DWTS." However, there "aren't any options currently available on any of the Honda teams in IndyCar" (NBCSPORTS.com, 10/29). RACER.com's Miller & Pruett note Hinchcliffe is "expected to reach out to Honda teams even though there appear to be slim pickings at the moment." The "late timing of Hinchcliffe's release has left the 32-year-old in a lurch among the Honda-powered teams" (RACER.com, 10/28).
