Patricio O'Ward will have the pleasure of driving in FP1 of the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend with McLaren F1. The IndyCar driver is a native of the country and he is obviously happy to be able to take advantage of this opportunity to drive in Lando Norris' MCL38.
“I’m really looking forward to it.” O'Ward told Racer. “I'm looking forward to experiencing this Grand Prix weekend without just walking around – I'll get to drive the car at least once! It's pretty special. I haven't really had the opportunity to do it professionally for so many years.”
“There is no bigger stage than Formula 1 and it's really a great opportunity for me to be there with the team and obviously help them in any way I can to get everything sorted for Lando and let it go as smoothly as possible.”
“I also want to get what I need out of it and really enjoy it. That's my main goal – I want to enjoy it as much as possible. I feel like there's a natural expectation that this may be the case, but I don't feel any additional pressure.”
“I think it's cool. Actually, I think it's the opposite, it's fantastic to be able to drive the leading car in the constructors' championship. It's awesome. I've never had the opportunity to do so, so it’s a first!”
Three weeks of preparation in Woking and Silverstone
The Mexican driver spent time in Woking and Britain preparing: “I was there for three weeks, I had four simulation days, I did TPC testing at Silverstone – it was very nice, but I only had a few hours in the dry, and then it “It was extremely humid.”
“So it's still nice, but it's not the same – you can't lean on the car in the same way, obviously. But I'm looking forward to Mexico. I'm looking forward to seeing what it can bring me as a professional, and to see what it will give.”
“The car is a missile at the moment, so I can't wait to drive it. I feel very comfortable. I would say that after the Abu Dhabi test last year, I was able to really m 'step on the car and I feel much more at home.'
“Mexico is slightly different because of the altitude, the grip levels and everything else, but in some ways I think it will be less difficult than usual because of the altitude and So I think I'm going to have a blast and I can't wait to deliver for myself and the team.”
“Still a little unknown in the F1 paddock”
Although he is aware that his popularity is not that of Sergio Pérez, O'Ward is eager to experience this event from the inside as a local driver: “I don't really know what to expect. Obviously every year the team has gotten bigger, but I don't know where it's gotten to.”
“I don't know where the current level is. I always measure it when I go to Mexico. I feel like after this year's Indy 500 there was a change in that regard, like if there had been a big step in recognition in one direction.
“I'm still a bit of an unknown in the F1 paddock, to be honest! People who know motorsport obviously know when I'm wandering around, but all the growth of Netflix certainly has no idea who's who, apart from the 20 drivers so it will be interesting.
“I'm curious to see the stadium section because every time Checo passes by, I hear everyone screaming, and I can hear it from the box. Obviously, I don't think it will be the Same thing for me when I go through it, but maybe some people will be like, 'Hey! I think it'll be really cool.'
