​Pato O’Ward has achieved his long-standing wish. McLaren will immediately discontinue any Formula 1 duties for the Mexican driver, according to GPblog. For years, IndyCar star O’Ward hoped for a shot at F1. The ten-time race winner for Arrow McLaren in the American series eagerly accepted CEO Zak Brown’s invitation a few years back to serve as a test driver for the Formula 1 outfit. He harbored the possibility of reaching the pinnacle of motorsport in the back of his mind.
After taking part in five Formula 1 free practice sessions and participating in post-season tests, the opportunity did not come to fruition. O’Ward has Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri ahead of him, both of whom are locked into long-term F1 contracts. Adding to the competition is Leonardo Fornaroli, who now serves as another reserve driver.
“Formula 1 right now is an artificial show, and honestly, I have zero desire for it; it doesn’t grab my attention.” As the odds of O’Ward breaking into F1 grew slimmer—and given that he already felt perfectly at home in IndyCar—the Mexican rider decided to request that Brown relieve him of all F1 obligations. The exact timing of the departure was unclear, as O’Ward had been designated as a reserve driver for the current season.
GPblog has learned that O’Ward’s F1 journey has now ended rather than merely being postponed until after the present season. In practice, O’Ward’s IndyCar commitments kept him largely unavailable, and even after the season concludes, he will no longer participate in F1 activities.
McLaren’s decision to grant O’Ward’s request was straightforward. They now have a strong replacement in Leonardo Fornaroli, an Italian driver tipped for a bright future in the sport, potentially as soon as next season. McLaren has even indicated a willingness to loan out the reigning Formula 2 champion. Haas has already shown interest in the youngster.
While grateful for his F1 experience, O’Ward previously outlined his plans and faulted the new F1 regulations as a reason not to pursue testing with the team further. In Conor Daly’s podcast Speed Street, O’Ward said: “I’m grateful for the experiences and all the things I’ve learned in the world of F1. Driving those cars over the last few years has been amazing, showing what they’re capable of, but I think I’m in a different place in my life now, and I don’t really care anymore. There’s nothing in me that desires to stay as an F1 reserve. I’m in a great place in IndyCar. I love the series. That’s where I want to be. I’m not excited to drive one [F1 car], so I have politely asked to be released from all my F1 services.”
O’Ward’s departure marks the end of an era in which a top IndyCar competitor experimented with Formula 1, but the door remains open for a future return in some capacity, either through a loan or a different arrangement if opportunities arise. For now, though, the 26-year-old Mexican will concentrate on his successful career in IndyCar, where he continues to be a prominent and highly marketable figure.