Pato O'Ward Asks McLaren to Release Him from F1 Duties to Focus on IndyCar
Pato O'Ward has officially asked McLaren to relieve him of all Formula 1 reserve driver duties, as his ambition to become an F1 driver has faded and he wants to fully dedicate himself to IndyCar.
Driver's Decision
Pato O'Ward, who has been with McLaren's F1 team as a reserve driver since 2020, has formally requested to be released from all Formula 1 responsibilities. He aims to concentrate entirely on his IndyCar career.
Shift in Ambitions
In an interview on the "Speed Street" podcast, O'Ward admitted that his desire to become a full-time F1 driver has completely diminished. "I'm grateful for the experience and everything I learned in the F1 world. Driving these cars, especially in recent years, was amazing, but now I'm at a different point in my life – it doesn't really interest me anymore," the driver explained.
Focus on IndyCar
O'Ward was recently confirmed as a driver for the 2027 season with Arrow McLaren in IndyCar. He emphasized that he no longer wishes to invest energy in the F1 program. "There's nothing in me that would make me want to continue as a reserve driver in F1. I'm in a great place. I love this championship. That's where I want to be," he said.
Desire for Control
O'Ward, who has come close to winning the Indianapolis 500 on multiple occasions, stated that he wants more control over his daily schedule. "I'm not excited about driving an F1 car, so I politely asked to be released from all my commitments within F1. I want to focus on my priorities," he remarked.
He also added that for the last four or five years, he often couldn't dictate his own calendar. "I want to train more, eat better, and simply prepare for 2027, which will come quickly," the driver concluded.
