Pato O'Ward reveals upcoming Formula 1 duties with McLaren
F1 News
IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward has revealed he will complete a free practice session for McLaren at the Mexican Grand Prix weekend. That means the home fans in Mexico will be treated to two 'home' drivers during Friday practice as O'Ward is set to join fellow countryman Sergio Perez on track.
The McLaren reserve driver will drive the MCL38 in FP1. He has been on McLaren's reserve driver list and has driven old McLaren F1 cars at previous tests. He also has some experience in end-of-season young driver tests in Abu Dhabi. McLaren, like all other F1 teams, must give inexperienced F1 drivers two FP1 sessions every season.
Did someone say homecoming?
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) September 11, 2024
A dream come true for @PatricioOWard who will drive the MCL38 in front of his home crowd during FP1 at the Mexico City GP! @ArrowMcLaren pic.twitter.com/VDYvGP0Fd6
O'Ward with FP1 news
O'Ward posted on McLaren's social media page to announce the news. "I’ve got some pretty exciting news to tell you all today. I will be joining McLaren Formula 1 at the Mexican Grand Prix but this time around I will be jumping in the car for FP1. I cannot wait, this really is a dream come true for me – being able to jump into an F1 car in front of my home crowd. I can’t thank Andrea [Stella], Zak [Brown] – the whole team – enough for this amazing opportunity," O'Ward said.
McLaren are chasing down Red Bull Racing in the Constructors' Championship. Ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, McLaren are just eight points shy of Red Bull's total at the top of the standings. O'Ward looks forward to getting into the "rocket" car.
"The car’s been a rocket this year so [I’ll be] trying to do my part and help them as much as I can for the rest of the year. I’ve got Nashville this weekend in IndyCar, so that’s the priority now, but can’t wait to get going and I’m actually flying over to Europe at the end of this week to start all my Formula 1 duties. I can’t wait," O'Ward said.