Racing
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Pato O’Ward says he has asked McLaren to remove him from its Formula 1 reserve pool, with the Mexican driver making clear he wants to focus on IndyCar and no longer feels any pull toward an F1 role.
Speaking on Conor Daly’s Speed Street podcast, O’Ward said: “I’m not excited to drive one, so I have politely asked to be fired from all my services in F1.” He said the change is also about regaining control of his schedule after “the last four or five years” without a real break, adding that he wants “to train more,” “eat better,” and “prepare for 2027 which is going to come fast.”
O’Ward said the motivation to keep one foot in Formula 1 has gone. “There is nothing in me that is aching me to continue as a reserve in F1,” he said. “I’m in a great place in IndyCar. I love the series. That’s where I want to be.”
The decision is a notable shift for a driver McLaren has used regularly in its F1 program. O’Ward has been a reserve driver for the team since 2024, has taken part in five FP1 sessions, and also ran in post-season testing in Abu Dhabi. His latest practice appearance came at last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and it now appears likely to stand as his final F1 outing.
His frustration is not only about workload. O’Ward has also signaled a deeper lack of enthusiasm for the current direction of Formula 1 machinery and racing. Earlier this year, in criticism of modern overtaking systems, he said: “You don’t want to be flipping a switch to say, ‘Oh, I’m going to press it to pass him artificially.’ It’s not Mario Kart; we’re racing here.”
For McLaren, O’Ward’s stance shuts down the prospect of further reserve work for the time being. It also underlines where he sees his future, with his place in the team’s IndyCar program already confirmed through the 2027 season.