Formula 1 an ‘off-season project’ for IndyCar star Pato O’Ward

Pato O'Ward has a dream to drive in Formula 1 one day - but for now, it's more something that he'll work on when his IndyCar schedule allows.


Formula 1 an ‘off-season project’ for IndyCar star Pato O’Ward

Pato O'Ward

Pato O’Ward, who currently drives for McLaren in IndyCar, has also tested F1 cars for them. He first tested the McLaren MCL35M in 2021, at a post-season test in Abu Dhabi. He finished fourth in the standings. Last year too, he tested for them on multiple occasions, and then made his free practice debut for them in Abu Dhabi. Afterwards, he expressed his amazement at the speed of the car and hinted that he’ll be pestering McLaren for more F1 running as well.

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Before his running in Abu Dhabi, he hinted that he would be open to taking a break from IndyCar if it helped his chance of getting into Formula 1 – adding that he grew up with the ‘F1 dream’ and is very keen to make the switch. However, right now, a full-time seat will be a little hard to come by for him, even if opportunities can sometimes come up from almost nowhere. So while O’Ward continues to harbor these ambitions, these will come after the IndyCar season, when his schedule is clearer.

As per Motorsport.com, the Mexican driver said: “All the F1 stuff is more of an off-season project. My focus and all my attention will be in IndyCar for the next good amount of months. But obviously it’s been more than enjoyable. It’s been fantastic.

Read More: ‘Why not in Mexico?’ F1 Twitter reacts to IndyCar’s Pato O’Ward and Alex Palou getting FP1 sessions with McLaren

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Pato O’Ward will put ‘full focus’ on the IndyCar season

Pato O'Ward
Pato O’Ward

The 2023 IndyCar season will begin at just about the same time as the upcoming Formula 1 season but will end 2 months earlier, in September. That leaves Pato O’Ward plenty of time to test or make Grand Prix weekend appearances for McLaren. Alex Palou has earlier talked about how he will only be involved in F1 when it doesn’t hamper his IndyCar season, and O’Ward says something similar here.

He said: “A big part of my off-season before going home, it was really focusing on the F1 stuff. I’m also excited to go back to IndyCar now because it always feels a little odd when you go from one car to the other. Takes a few laps to get back into the sync of things, really feel it out… We will put our full focus into our IndyCar season; then I’m sure the F1 stuff will come shortly after.”

O’Ward chances at a full-time seat in Formula 1 are currently not incredible, but perhaps if he can impress in IndyCar, that will attract teams towards him. That’s probably his best shot – both seats at McLaren, in F1, are likely to be occupied for a long time in the future.

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