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Pato O’Ward has gotten his wish. McLaren will no longer deploy the Mexican for Formula 1 activities with immediate effect, GPblog understands.
IndyCar driver O’Ward had hoped for years for a chance in Formula 1. The ten-time race winner for Arrow McLaren in the American series eagerly accepted CEO Zak Brown’s offer a few years ago to serve as a test driver for the Formula 1 team. In the back of his mind, O’Ward kept open the possibility of reaching the pinnacle of motorsport.
After driving in five Formula 1 free practice sessions and taking part in post-season tests, that opportunity did not materialise. O’Ward also has Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri ahead of him, both of whom have long-term contracts in Formula 1. On top of that, there is now another reserve driver in the form of Leonardo Fornaroli.
With the chances of O’Ward making it to Formula 1 dwindling - and given that he is perfectly at home in IndyCar - the Mexican decided to ask Brown to relieve him of all F1 obligations. It was not entirely clear, however, when this would take effect, since O’Ward had been designated as one of the reserve drivers for the current season.
GPblog understands, however, that O’Ward’s F1 venture has now come to an end, instead of being delayed until after the current season. In any case, O’Ward was scarcely available due to his IndyCar commitments, but even after that season concludes, he will no longer be working in the F1 paddock.
For McLaren, the decision to grant O’Ward’s request was not a difficult one. After all, they have an excellent replacement in Leonardo Fornaroli. The Italian is tipped for a bright future in the sport, possibly as soon as next season. McLaren is open to loaning out the reigning Formula 2 champion. Haas has the youngster on its radar.
While grateful for his F1 experience, O'Ward earlier outlined his plans and also critiqued the new F1 regulations as a reason for no longer wanting to test for the team.
Speaking in Conor Daly's podcast titled Speed Street, O'Ward said: "I'm grateful for the experiences and all the I've been able to learn in the world of F1. And obviously, driving those cars, especially the last few years, I've had an amazing experience just to what they are capable of, but I think I'm in a different point in my life now, and I don't really care anymore.
We won't be seeing O'Ward in McLaren F1 race gear again (Photo: RacePictures)
We won't be seeing O'Ward in McLaren F1 race gear again (Photo: RacePictures)
"There is nothing in me that is aching me to continue as a reserve in F1. 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 fired from all my services in F1.
"A lot of the time, I don't really get to dictate my schedule at all. In the last four or five years, I haven't been able to do really any of that. I want to be able to train more, I want to be able to eat better, and just prepare for 2027, which is going to come fast."
Earlier, O'Ward also said the new F1 engine regulations have put him off of the sport in an interview with FOX Deportes:
"You don’t want to be flipping a switch to say, 'Oh, I'm going to press it to pass him artificially.' It's not Mario Kart; we’re racing here. Honestly, I have zero desire to be part of that.
"I feel that right now, today, this is the best series for a driver who wants to race, here, in IndyCar... Formula 1 right now is an artificial show, and honestly, I have zero desire for it; it doesn't grab my attention."
Continue reading...
IndyCar driver O’Ward had hoped for years for a chance in Formula 1. The ten-time race winner for Arrow McLaren in the American series eagerly accepted CEO Zak Brown’s offer a few years ago to serve as a test driver for the Formula 1 team. In the back of his mind, O’Ward kept open the possibility of reaching the pinnacle of motorsport.
After driving in five Formula 1 free practice sessions and taking part in post-season tests, that opportunity did not materialise. O’Ward also has Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri ahead of him, both of whom have long-term contracts in Formula 1. On top of that, there is now another reserve driver in the form of Leonardo Fornaroli.
With the chances of O’Ward making it to Formula 1 dwindling - and given that he is perfectly at home in IndyCar - the Mexican decided to ask Brown to relieve him of all F1 obligations. It was not entirely clear, however, when this would take effect, since O’Ward had been designated as one of the reserve drivers for the current season.
O'Ward's Formula 1 chapter at McLaren comes to an end
GPblog understands, however, that O’Ward’s F1 venture has now come to an end, instead of being delayed until after the current season. In any case, O’Ward was scarcely available due to his IndyCar commitments, but even after that season concludes, he will no longer be working in the F1 paddock.
For McLaren, the decision to grant O’Ward’s request was not a difficult one. After all, they have an excellent replacement in Leonardo Fornaroli. The Italian is tipped for a bright future in the sport, possibly as soon as next season. McLaren is open to loaning out the reigning Formula 2 champion. Haas has the youngster on its radar.
O'Ward makes his feelings on F1 regulations clear
While grateful for his F1 experience, O'Ward earlier outlined his plans and also critiqued the new F1 regulations as a reason for no longer wanting to test for the team.
Speaking in Conor Daly's podcast titled Speed Street, O'Ward said: "I'm grateful for the experiences and all the I've been able to learn in the world of F1. And obviously, driving those cars, especially the last few years, I've had an amazing experience just to what they are capable of, but I think I'm in a different point in my life now, and I don't really care anymore.
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We won't be seeing O'Ward in McLaren F1 race gear again (Photo: RacePictures)
We won't be seeing O'Ward in McLaren F1 race gear again (Photo: RacePictures)
"There is nothing in me that is aching me to continue as a reserve in F1. 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 fired from all my services in F1.
"A lot of the time, I don't really get to dictate my schedule at all. In the last four or five years, I haven't been able to do really any of that. I want to be able to train more, I want to be able to eat better, and just prepare for 2027, which is going to come fast."
Earlier, O'Ward also said the new F1 engine regulations have put him off of the sport in an interview with FOX Deportes:
"You don’t want to be flipping a switch to say, 'Oh, I'm going to press it to pass him artificially.' It's not Mario Kart; we’re racing here. Honestly, I have zero desire to be part of that.
"I feel that right now, today, this is the best series for a driver who wants to race, here, in IndyCar... Formula 1 right now is an artificial show, and honestly, I have zero desire for it; it doesn't grab my attention."
Continue reading...
