After initial struggles as SSM, the organization would find moderate success after former IndyCar driver Davey Hamilton brought enough sponsorship to run a full schedule, then Canadian businessman Ric Peterson purchased a stake in the team.

McLaren has a history of competing in American open wheel racing, as both an entrant and a chassis constructor.

Following one-off Indy 500 returns in 2017 and 2019, the latter of which they did not qualify for, McLaren announced plans to compete in the full IndyCar Series starting in 2020 in partnership with the Schmidt Peterson team.

Following two wins in 2021 with O'Ward, McLaren Racing announced it had purchased a 75% stake in Schmidt Peterson Motorsports with its CEO Zak Brown named chairman, increasing to 100% after 2024.

On January 6, 2000, Sam Schmidt was in Orlando, Florida practicing at the Walt Disney World Speedway when his car crashed exiting turn two, hitting the outside wall at approximately 180 mph.

He was diagnosed as a quadriplegic, the result of a severe injury to his spinal cord at the C-3/C-4 levels and was on a respirator for 5 months.

[4][5] In January 2025, McLaren purchased all remaining stakes from Schmidt and Peterson to complete their takeover of the team.

[6] Davey Hamilton began 2001 in the car and drove five races, including the team's first Indianapolis 500, ending with an injury at Texas Motor Speedway.

99, but handed over Indy 500 driving duties to Mark Dismore, who made his only start for the team in that year's '500'.

The team made a joint entry with Chip Ganassi Racing for the 2009 Indianapolis 500, piloted by Alex Lloyd.

For 2011, SSM purchased the assets of FAZZT Race Team, retaining some of the personnel and all sponsors, including Alex Tagliani.

Townsend Bell, Jay Howard, and Wade Cunningham also drove for SSM in the 2011 IndyCar Series season.

[7] Just over a month later, at the 2011 season finale, Dan Wheldon died after he was involved in a 15-car wreck at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

In 2012 SSM fielded a car for Frenchman Simon Pagenaud for the full season backed by Hewlett-Packard.

While the team would have a 1-3 finish at 2015 Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana with Hinchcliffe winning, the season would come undone at Indianapolis.

During the Road America weekend, Aleshin was delayed by visa issues coming from France (where he participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans).

It was announced on August 12 that Aleshin would no longer race for SPM and would be replaced by Saavedra and Jack Harvey for the remainder of the season.

In 2018, SPM announced it had extended James Hinchcliffe's contract,[8][9] as well as signing fellow Canadian Robert Wickens to drive the No.

6 car would again return on a part-time basis for the GMR Grand Prix and the 2022 Indianapolis 500 driven by Juan Pablo Montoya.

His duties were parsed and redistributed between Brian Barnhart, who joins the team with Rossi from Andretti Autosport as General Manager, and Gavin Ward.

[35][36] Malukas was released by the team after breaking his wrist in a pre-season accident and missing four races without a recovery timeline.

[38][39][40] The team would sever its ties with Juncos Hollinger Racing following a social media controversy that involved Juncos Hollinger driver Agustin Canapino sending death threats to Pourchaire following the 2024 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix.

For 2013 the team's Indy Lights drivers were Jack Hawksworth, Gabby Chaves, and Sage Karam.

While Urrutia would win the most races of any driver, he would lose the Lights title to Ed Jones of Carlin.

In April 2017, Schmidt Peterson announced a driver development program partnership with the Indy Lights team Belardi Auto Racing.