Patricio AKA ‘Pato’ O’Ward has revealed he asked McLaren to release him from his Formula 1 reserve driver commitments, admitting he is “no longer interested” in pursuing a future on the F1 grid after spending five years with the team’s development programme.
The Mexican driver, who continues to race for Arrow McLaren in IndyCar, said he has informed the Woking outfit that he wants to step away from his Formula 1 responsibilities to concentrate fully on his career in the American championship. His comments came during an appearance on the Speed Street podcast.
O’Ward ends five-year Formula 1 pursuit
While many drivers spend years chasing even a single opportunity in Formula 1, O’Ward says he has reached the point where the championship is no longer his priority.
The 27-year-old revealed he had spoken directly with McLaren about ending his reserve driver role.
“I nicely asked the McLaren management if they could fire me from all my obligations in F1.”
O’Ward has been part of McLaren’s Formula 1 testing and reserve programme since 2021, taking part in multiple private tests, post-season outings and several Free Practice 1 appearances. However, despite remaining closely linked to the team, a full-time race seat never materialised.
O’Ward: “I’m no longer interested”
Despite leaving his Formula 1 commitments behind, O’Ward stressed he remains grateful for the opportunities McLaren provided throughout his time in the programme.
“I am very grateful for the experiences and everything else I was able to experience in the world of F1. Driving these cars, especially in recent years, was exciting.”
However, he admitted his ambitions have changed.
“But I think I’m at a different point in my life now, and it [F1] no longer interests me.”
The statement marks a significant shift from previous seasons, when O’Ward openly expressed his desire to secure a permanent Formula 1 seat.
IndyCar now the clear priority
O’Ward says his focus is now entirely on IndyCar, where he has established himself as one of the championship’s leading drivers with Arrow McLaren.
“I’m in a great place in the IndyCar series. I love this racing series. This is where I want to be.”
He also explained that relinquishing his Formula 1 reserve duties would give him greater control over his schedule.
“Often I don’t have the opportunity to determine my own schedule. For the last four or five years, I haven’t been able to do that.”
According to O’Ward, stepping away from Formula 1 will allow him to dedicate more time to training and preparation while focusing entirely on his IndyCar title ambitions.
Although his Formula 1 chapter now appears closed, O’Ward will remain part of the wider McLaren family through its successful Arrow McLaren IndyCar programme, ending years of speculation over whether he could eventually graduate to a full-time Formula 1 seat.
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