Pato O'Ward Ends Formula 1 Reserve Role to Prioritize IndyCar Career

Pato O'WardPlayer·Pato O'Ward, a prominent figure in the IndyCar SeriesCompetition·IndyCar Series, has formally requested to be released from his Formula 1Competition·Formula 1 reserve driver obligations with McLarenTeam·McLaren. The Mexican driver cited a desire to concentrate fully on his commitments in IndyCar, effectively closing the chapter on his F1 aspirations for the foreseeable future.

O'Ward's journey with the McLarenTeam·McLaren racing family began in 2020, when he joined Arrow McLaren SPTeam·Arrow McLaren SP for his inaugural full season in IndyCar. His consistent performances quickly garnered attention, including that of McLarenTeam·McLaren Chief Executive Officer Zak BrownCoach·Zak Brown. This led to opportunities within the Formula 1Competition·Formula 1 sphere, including a test in the MCL35M car during the young driver test in Abu DhabiVenue·Abu Dhabi in 2021.

Subsequently, O'Ward was integrated into McLarenTeam·McLaren's Formula 1Competition·Formula 1 reserve driver program, participating in private tests across various circuits and making appearances in first free practice sessions, notably in his home country of MexicoVenue·Mexico. However, any ambitions for a full-time F1 race seat have now receded.

Speaking on the "Speed Street" podcast, O'Ward articulated his evolving perspective. "I'm grateful for the experiences and for everything I was able to learn in the F1 world," O'Ward stated. "And obviously, driving those cars, especially over the last couple of years, I had an incredible experience with their capabilities. But I think I'm in a different stage of my life now, and I just don't care anymore. Nothing in me makes me want to continue as an F1 reserve. I'm in a great place in IndyCar. I love this championship. That's where I want to be."

His decision follows the recent confirmation of his continued participation with McLarenTeam·McLaren in the IndyCar seriesCompetition·IndyCar Series into the 2027 season. He is set to partner with six-time champion Scott DixonPlayer·Scott Dixon and Felix RosenqvistPlayer·Felix Rosenqvist, who secured victory at this year's Indianapolis 500Competition·Indianapolis 500, underscoring his strong position within the series.

O'Ward has consistently demonstrated his prowess in IndyCar, finishing within the top seven in the drivers' standings every year since joining the McLarenTeam·McLaren team. He has also come agonizingly close to winning the Indianapolis 500Competition·Indianapolis 500, recording five top-six finishes over the past seven years, including two second-place results.

While O'Ward's duties were previously split between the two championships, his participation in the first free practice session in Abu DhabiVenue·Abu Dhabi last year is now expected to be his final outing in a Formula 1Competition·Formula 1 car.

"I'm not excited to drive one , so I politely asked to be fired from all my F1 duties," O'Ward elaborated. "I want to focus on my priorities. In many cases, I can't set my schedule at all. Over the last four or five years, I haven't been able to do almost 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."

This move does not directly impact McLarenTeam·McLaren's primary Formula 1Competition·Formula 1 lineup for the 2026 season, which features Lando NorrisPlayer·Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriPlayer·Oscar Piastri. McLarenTeam·McLaren enjoyed a highly successful 2025 season, securing both the Constructors' and Drivers' Championships, with Lando NorrisPlayer·Lando Norris claiming his first Drivers' Championship and Oscar PiastriPlayer·Oscar Piastri finishing third. However, the 2026 season has presented challenges for their title defense. At the recent British Grand PrixCompetition·British Grand Prix, Lando NorrisPlayer·Lando Norris finished fourth, while Oscar PiastriPlayer·Oscar Piastri was out of the points due to a first-lap incident. Team Principal Andrea StellaCoach·Andrea Stella acknowledged a "difficult start" to their double title defense, noting that McLarenTeam·McLaren was "well off the pace of frontrunners MercedesTeam·Mercedes and FerrariTeam·Ferrari," with a gap of approximately "half a second." O'Ward had shared reserve driver duties with reigning Formula 2 champion Leonardo FornaroliPlayer·Leonardo Fornaroli for the 2026 season, and McLarenTeam·McLaren will now continue with Fornaroli and other development drivers for these roles.