Pato O'Ward: 'F1 is a very distant illusion'

For several months, the strategy of McLaren with its pilots is curious to say the least. Between the multiple signatures in IndyCar, the question about Ricciardo's contract and now the matter Piastres, difficult to see clearly in the game of the British manufacturer. If there's one who has his feet on the Earth, it's Pato O'Ward. The Mexican is one of the drivers who signed a new contract with McLaren Racing, in May. If the agreement concerns only a commitment in IndyCar, the possibility of seeing O'Ward in Formula 1 was not far-fetched. He had also completed the tests at the end of the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi and Zak Brown never denied that participation in Free Practice 1 was possible this year.

The main person concerned prefers not to have too many ideas. Pato O'Ward has said goodbye to his hopes of joining the Formula 1 grid in the near future. “It doesn't do me any good to have this illusion [of going to Formula 1], said the Mexican in an interview with ESPN. I feel like I've matured. It's a very distant illusion, because even if I drive at a very high level, which I do, it's not going to convince them. There are many more things and policies that are out of my control, than I can ever control. I have to leave it there, because there is no point in espousing this illusion. »

“I put an end to that idea”

The chances of seeing Pato O'Ward in Formula 1 have diminished further recently, with the Piastri affair. The Australian driver could join McLaren in 2023 if the British team wins its case. As a result, Colton Herta, Alex Palou and Pato O'Ward, the three McLaren drivers in IndyCar, would then find themselves without opportunities. “The truth is that since the beginning of the year, I put an end to this idea, added O’Ward. I stopped thinking about it, because this idea excites you so much that it can make you drop everything else just for this illusion. But I'm a smart man, I'm not stupid and I know how things happened. I don't have much say in this situation and it doesn't make me feel good to have this illusion. »

“I love IndyCar, I want it to grow, for IndyCar to go to Mexico, for it to become global. I want to help everyone to continue to develop because the championship has immense potential,” then declared the young 23-year-old pilot. Currently 7th in the IndyCar championship, the recent winner of the Iowa 300 considers himself 100% focused on his career in the United States despite the temptation of Formula 1. “For the moment, he can't present anything to me since all the seats are taken. Yes, [Zak Brown talked to him about an F1 contract] but (…) I can't leave anyway, he signed me to his IndyCar team. I signed with his IndyCar team. If he wants to put me in a Formula 1 car, he can put me in a Formula 1 car."

O'Ward soon in Free Practice with McLaren?

However, Pato O'Ward is not closing the door to his free testing with McLaren, as part of the new regulations in Formula 1 regarding testing with rookies. The Monterrey native admitted that if he had to do FP1 in a Grand Prix this season, he would like it to be in Mexico or Austin, in front of his fans.

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