Pato O’Ward, Indycar pilot and reservist for McLaren in Formula 1, will take the steering wheel of the MCL39 during the free test session 1 (EL1) of the Mexico Grand Prix 2025, scheduled for Friday, October 24. It will be the second consecutive year that the 25 -year -old native of Monterrey will participate in this session in Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
This participation is part of his role as a reserve pilot for McLaren, allowing him to gain precious experience in F1 while supporting the team in his preparations for the race weekend. O’Ward has already participated in EL1 sessions, notably in Abu Dhabi, but riding in front of his Mexican audience has a particular meaning for him.
A noticed performance in 2024
During his participation in the free tests of the Mexico Grand Prix 2024, O’Ward had impressed by finishing 13th in the session, just 0.3 seconds from his teammate Oscar Piastri. Despite interruptions due to red flags, he had managed to provide precious data to the team. “It was a very intense session, especially with such a chaotic and crazy practice”he said. “I am very happy to have been able to extract everything I could from the program that the team had planned. »»
His performance had been welcomed by Andrea Stella, director of the McLaren F1 team, who had underlined his significant contribution to the test program and its consistency on track.
-An ambition always present for F1
Although he is currently engaged in Indycar, O’Ward has never hidden his ambition to join Formula 1 full -time. “My dream is to be in Formula 1. I don’t see it as a failure if I can’t do it, but it’s something that I actively pursue”he said.
His popularity in Mexico and his solid performance in Indycar, where he finished fifth in the 2024 championship with three victories and a second place at Indy 500, strengthen his candidacy for a future in F1.
An opportunity for McLaren and O’Ward
The participation of O’Ward in the EL1 of the Mexico Grand Prix 2025 offers McLaren an opportunity to test a talented pilot while strengthening its presence on the Mexican market. For O’Ward, it is a chance to demonstrate your skills in F1 and get closer to its objective of becoming a titular pilot.
“I am excited to come back to the car for the EL1 session of my home grand prize in Mexico this year”said O’Ward. “Mexico fans were incredible the last time, and it was a great feeling to be able to extract everything I could from the program that the team had planned. I can’t wait to start again this year, to work with Zak, Andrea and the whole team. »»
