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McLaren Formula 1 CEO Zak Brown has expressed deep concern over a brewing controversy in the IndyCar Series, following a major cheating scandal that emerged during qualifying for the 2025 Indianapolis 500. The incident, which involved two drivers from Team Penske, has cast a shadow over one of motorsport’s most prestigious events and raised serious questions about the integrity of one of the sport’s most successful teams.
The controversy erupted during last weekend’s qualifying shoot-out for the Indy 500, when it was discovered that two of Team Penske’s cars contained an illegally modified component. As a result, drivers Josef Newgarden and Will Power were initially withdrawn from the session and later disqualified, leading to their relegation to the back of the grid. This unprecedented move came after a post-qualifying technical inspection revealed unauthorized alterations, prompting swift disciplinary action from IndyCar officials.
“What a shame this cloud will continue to hover over our great race until everything is fully resolved,” Brown told The Associated Press. The McLaren boss, who also oversees the Arrow McLaren IndyCar team, did not hold back in his criticism of the situation, highlighting what he sees as a troubling pattern within Team Penske’s operations.
This is not the first time Penske has found itself embroiled in controversy. During the 2024 season opener in St. Petersburg, a similar scandal unfolded when the team’s drivers were found to have gained illegal access to the push-to-pass system — a feature that temporarily boosts engine power to aid overtaking. The system was supposed to be disabled at the time, and Newgarden, who won that race, was subsequently stripped of his victory. That incident had already drawn scrutiny, but this latest breach has intensified calls for greater oversight and accountability within the team.
“I’m very concerned, as are my fellow team owners, to find that Team Penske has been found with a multi-car major technical infringement for the second time in two seasons,” Brown stated. “In racing you can sometimes have mechanics who make miscalculations and you can sometimes have manufacturing issues that can all lead to honest mistakes. I don’t believe that’s what happened here or last year, which raises questions over the integrity of the decision-making within that team.”
The severity of the latest penalties reflects the gravity of the infractions. In addition to stripping Newgarden and Power of their qualifying points, IndyCar handed both teams a $100,000 fine. Furthermore, the series announced the suspension of two high-ranking Team Penske strategists — Tim Cindric and Ron Ruzewski — for the remainder of the month. These individuals play critical roles in race-day decisions and strategy, and their absence will undoubtedly affect the team’s performance during the Indy 500 and potentially beyond.
Brown’s comments have resonated throughout the motorsport community, not only because of the allegations themselves but also because they highlight the broader implications for the sport’s credibility. IndyCar, like Formula 1, prides itself on fair competition, stringent regulations, and the integrity of its participants. Incidents such as this one threaten to undermine those values and damage the reputation of a sport that continues to fight for global relevance and growth.
The 2025 Indy 500, set to take place on Sunday, May 25 at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, is one of motorsport’s Triple Crown events, along with the Monaco Grand Prix in Formula 1 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The race is expected to draw massive viewership and attendance, with fans from around the world tuning in to watch the 33-car field battle it out for one of the most coveted trophies in racing. However, the scandal surrounding Team Penske has shifted much of the pre-race conversation from driver performance to questions of sportsmanship and compliance.
As Arrow McLaren prepares to take part in the main event, Brown and others are calling for a thorough review and greater transparency from both the team involved and IndyCar’s governing body. There is a growing demand for measures to prevent future violations and ensure that all teams operate on a level playing field.
Until the situation is fully resolved and trust is restored, this scandal will likely continue to cast a long shadow over the sport — a sentiment that Brown captured succinctly: “What a shame,” he said. “This cloud will continue to hover until everything is fully resolved.”
