McLaren Announces Pato O’Ward as F1 Driver Replacement for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
McLaren has officially revealed that Pato O’Ward will step into the driver’s seat during the Free Practice 1 (FP1) session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix later this season. This decision comes after O’Ward’s impressive performances in the IndyCar series.
O’Ward had the opportunity to drive for McLaren during the same race last season, and now he will once again have the chance to compete in Formula 1, both during the season finale and in post-season testing.
The Mexican driver had a strong season in the 2023 IndyCar series, finishing in fourth place while racing for the Arrow McLaren team. McLaren’s leadership believes that O’Ward’s achievements merit him the opportunity to obtain an F1 superlicense.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella stated, “We are checking with the FIA, we think he’s eligible now for a super licence. So he’s qualified to drive a Formula 1 car and be in a position to be one of the [McLaren] reserve drivers.”
The announcement of O’Ward’s return was made via a post on McLaren’s official Instagram account, indicating their confidence in the young driver’s abilities and potential contributions to the team.
McLaren Considering More Opportunities for O’Ward
Pato O’Ward’s consistent and strong performances throughout the IndyCar series have played a significant role in McLaren’s decision to provide him with additional opportunities in Formula 1.
Under new FIA regulations introduced in 2022, all Formula 1 teams are required to provide a rookie driver with the chance to participate in at least two practice sessions during the season. Oscar Piastri fulfilled one of these obligations when he made his debut in Bahrain in March, marking his first season in F1.
Now, McLaren is preparing to fulfill the second part of this requirement with Pato O’Ward. Team principal Andrea Stella expressed their anticipation for O’Ward’s participation in FP1 and the subsequent test, suggesting that McLaren is actively considering providing the talented driver with more opportunities to showcase his skills in the future.
