O’Ward ends his experience as third McLaren driver: “I’m happy in IndyCar”

The Arrow McLaren trio for 2027 In recent days the Arrow McLaren team has been at the center of attention in the IndyCar driver market for the hiring of Scott Dixon and Felix Rosenqvist, who will join Patricio O’Ward in 2027. The latter, at the same time, was reconfirmed as an official driver in the US championship, and the renewal led the Mexican to make an important decision in his career, this time in Formula 1. Enough F1 The The 27-year-old, who has taken part in several tests and FP1s in official GPs since 2024, has in fact officially decided to leave the Formula 1 environment, focusing solely and exclusively on the Arrow McLaren project in IndyCar. This was communicated by O’Ward himself, who revealed in Conor Daly’s Speed Street podcast that he was no longer interested in the Circus’ plans: “I’m grateful for the experiences and everything I’ve learned in the world of F1 – he explained – driving those cars, especially in the last few years, has been an incredible experience, just to feel what they’re capable of. I think I’m in a different moment in my life now, and I don’t care anymore. There’s nothing in me that pushes me to continue as a reserve in Formula 1, because I’m in a great moment in IndyCar, this category. A choice that convinced O’Ward to spontaneously show up in Woking to make a specific request and instead maintain his position in Indianapolis, where the team participating in the IndyCar championship is based: “At the moment I’m not enthusiastic about driving one, so I kindly asked to be relieved of all my services in Formula 1. It’s the best place to race more. Simple. I think many may have a different opinion, but for me that’s where I’m happy.” A desire, that of leaving F1 to stay in IndyCar, which he further summarized with a final statement: “I don’t need to become more famous. I don’t need more money. I’m already in a position that I didn’t think I would reach when I was younger. I’m very lucky.”

Automobile Magazine – Formula1 English, News

2026-07-09 10:00:00