Pato O’Ward Set for Return to F1 Action with McLaren at 2025 Mexican Grand Prix
McLaren Racing has officially announced that Pato O’Ward, one of the brightest talents in international motorsport, will drive in Free Practice 1 (FP1) at the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix. The session will take place on October 24 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, allowing O’Ward to showcase his skills in front of a passionate home crowd for the second year in a row.
O’Ward, who hails from Monterrey, Mexico, currently competes full-time in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and is part of McLaren’s reserve driver lineup. His upcoming FP1 appearance will mark his second time driving in a Formula 1 session at the Mexican Grand Prix, having previously filled in for Lando Norris during the same session in 2024. His performance last year was well-received, and the enthusiastic response from fans only added to the occasion.
In a statement released by McLaren, O’Ward expressed his enthusiasm about returning to the F1 paddock and particularly to the track in his home country. “I’m excited to be jumping back in the car for FP1 at my home race in Mexico this year,” he said. “The Mexico City fans were unbelievable last time out, and it was a great feeling being able to extract everything from the programme that the team had planned.”
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella also praised O’Ward’s development and contribution, both in his FP1 outing last year and throughout his time in INDYCAR. “Pato provided an appreciated contribution last season and continues to impress in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, making him a suitable driver for the Free Practice 1 session,” said Stella. “This will provide further knowledge for Pato as he continues to be available as part of our reserve driver pool for the second year. It ensures we have a wide pool of talented drivers to call upon if required.”
Beyond his FP1 run, O’Ward will play a valuable supporting role over the race weekend. He will contribute to car setup and provide technical feedback, which will benefit McLaren’s lead drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. This collaboration could be crucial, especially with both Norris and Piastri actively competing in the 2025 title race.
Oscar Piastri currently holds a 16-point advantage over teammate Norris following his impressive victory at the Miami Grand Prix. Defending champion Max Verstappen trails both McLaren drivers in third, which has intensified the championship battle as the season progresses. With six races completed, McLaren has surged to the top of the constructors’ standings, creating a significant gap between themselves and their closest competitors.
The team’s strong start has been fueled by consistently high-level performances from both Norris and Piastri. Their reliability and pace have positioned McLaren as favorites to defend their title and potentially secure back-to-back constructors’ championships—a feat that would mark a major milestone for the team.
O’Ward’s participation in the Mexican Grand Prix FP1 session not only serves as an opportunity for him to gain more F1 experience, but it also highlights McLaren’s dedication to nurturing talent across different motorsport disciplines. By continuing to integrate their reserve drivers into F1 activities, the team ensures it remains flexible and well-prepared for any scenario during the long and demanding season.
For O’Ward, this is another chance to impress on a global stage, with the added motivation of performing in front of a fervent home audience. For Mexican fans, it promises to be a thrilling weekend as they cheer on one of their own in a Formula 1 car once again.
