McLaren IndyCar star Pato O’Ward has sensationally revealed that has “politely asked to be fired” from any future opportunities driving the brand’s Formula 1 cars.
The Mexican has been involved with the Woking-based squad‘s F1 programme since 2022, and has made five free practice appearances in that time.
Additionally, O’Ward, alongside his position as a driver for the Arrow McLaren team in the IndyCar championship, is the. F1 team’s official reserve driver, having been signed to its then-newly-formed Driver Development Programme in 2023.
But with O’Ward now a firmly-established name in IndyCar, with 10 victories – the most recent coming last time out at Mid-Ohio – he has revealed that he is no longer chasing a seat in its F1 ranks.
Speaking on the Speed Street podcast, O’Ward openly spoke of his intentions to withdraw from this particular role, after a conversation with CEO Zak Brown.
“I haven’t had an off-season in the last five years. I want to enjoy my life outside of racing because it does consume me and it has consumed me in the last five years,” he said.
“Recently, actually, I obviously went to Zak, because he’s the guy that calls the shots. I’m grateful for the experiences, and all the things that I’ve been able to learn in the world of Formula 1, and obviously, driving those race cars, especially the last few years, has been just an amazing experience just to feel what they’re capable of.
“But I really think I’m just in a different point of my life now and I really don’t care anymore. There’s really nothing in me that is aching to keep on as a reserve in Formula 1 because I’m in a great place in IndyCar. I love the series. That’s where I want to be.”
‘I want to focus on my priorities’
F1 has been caught in a whirlwind of polarising opinions so far this year with the introduction of the controversial new 50-50 power unit regulations, with many drivers voicing their displeasure with them, including O’Ward’s stablemate, and reigning World Champion, Lando Norris.
And the 27-year-old former Red Bull Junior was of a similar mindset, appearing to hurry his decision to step back from the reservist role.
“I’m not excited to drive one [a new F1 car], so I have politely asked to be fired from all my services in F1. I want to focus on my priorities,” he said.
“A lot of the times I don’t really get to dictate my schedule at all. In the last four or five years, I haven’t been able to do really any of that, so.
“I want to be able to train more, I want to be able to eat better, and just prepare for 2027 [IndyCar season], which is going to come fast.”
O’Ward’s decision to back away from the F1 side of McLaren comes as the team is continuing to bat away speculation that the team has ramped up talks with Max Verstappen, amid apparent rising of tension between the Dutchman and Red Bull.
READ MORE – Is the latest Max Verstappen F1 transfer saga heading to a conclusion?
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