Pato O’Ward Leaves McLaren F1 Reserve Role for IndyCar
Pato O’Ward has requested that McLaren relieve him of all Formula 1 reserve driver commitments to focus entirely on his IndyCar career.
The Mexican driver recently confirmed his place in McLaren’s 2027 IndyCar lineup alongside Scott Dixon and Felix Rosenqvist. Following the announcement, O’Ward stated he has no further ambition to pursue a full-time seat in F1.
Speaking on the Speed Street podcast, O’Ward expressed gratitude for his time in the F1 paddock but admitted his professional priorities have shifted.
O’Ward noted that balancing dual roles over the past five years left him unable to control his own schedule. By stepping away from the F1 programme, he intends to improve his training regime and diet ahead of the 2027 season.
O’Ward first joined McLaren’s IndyCar setup in 2020. His early success prompted McLaren CEO Zak Brown to reward him with an F1 test at the 2021 young driver sessions in Abu Dhabi. He subsequently became a fixture in the reserve programme, participating in private tests and free practice sessions.
Despite his transatlantic integration, O’Ward has remained a consistent force in the US single-seater series. He has finished in the top seven of the IndyCar standings every year since 2020 and recorded five top-six finishes at the Indianapolis 500, including two runner-up results. Last year’s free practice appearance in Abu Dhabi will now serve as his final outing in an F1 car.
