McLaren’s reserve driver, Pato O’Ward, will be taking the wheel of the MCL38 during the FP1 session at the Mexico City Grand Prix, set for October 25-27.
The Mexican driver is known primarily for his exploits in IndyCar with Arrow McLaren where he has built a commendable reputation. His previous engagements include several development tests and his participation in the 2021 young driver test in Abu Dhabi. Notably, he also drove in FP1 during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekends in both 2022 and 2023.
Revealing his enthusiasm to head out in front of his home crowd, O’Ward shared a video on McLaren’s social media channels where he revealed the exciting 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.
Eduardo Mendoza/Jam Media/Getty Images
“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.”
Currently, O’Ward is sixth in the 2024 IndyCar Series standings with 419 points, having achieved three wins over 16 starts. His immediate focus, however, remains on the upcoming Nashville IndyCar race. Following this, he plans to travel to Europe to begin his Formula 1 duties. He continued:
“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.”
This development arrives at a time when McLaren is intensely vying against Red Bull in both the constructors’ and drivers’ championships.
2024 F1 Drivers Standings As Of Italian Grand Prix
- Max Verstappen (NED) – Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT – 303 pts
- Lando Norris (GBR) – McLaren Mercedes – 241 pts
- Charles Leclerc (MON) – Ferrari – 217 pts
- Oscar Piastri (AUS) – McLaren Mercedes – 197 pts
- Carlos Sainz (ESP) – Ferrari – 184 pts
- Lewis Hamilton (GBR) – Mercedes – 164 pts
- Sergio Perez (MEX) – Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT – 143 pts
- George Russell (GBR) – Mercedes – 128 pts
- Fernando Alonso (ESP) – Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes – 50 pts
- Lance Stroll (CAN) – Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes – 24 pts
- Nico Hulkenberg (GER) – Haas Ferrari – 22 pts
- Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) – RB Honda RBPT – 22 pts
- Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) – RB Honda RBPT – 12 pts
- Pierre Gasly (FRA) – Alpine Renault – 8 pts
- Oliver Bearman (GBR) – Ferrari – 6 pts
- Kevin Magnussen (DEN) – Haas Ferrari – 6 pts
- Alexander Albon (THA) – Williams Mercedes – 6 pts
- Esteban Ocon (FRA) – Alpine Renault – 5 pts
- Zhou Guanyu (CHN) – Kick Sauber Ferrari – 0 pts
- Logan Sargeant (USA) – Williams Mercedes – 0 pts
- Franco Colapinto (ARG) – Williams Mercedes – 0 pts
- Valtteri Bottas (FIN) – Kick Sauber Ferrari – 0 pts