McLaren Announce Pato O’Ward to Drive FP1 at M… read more
In a move that is sure to electrify fans and reinforce McLaren’s commitment to talent development, the team has officially announced that IndyCar star Pato O’Ward will participate in Free Practice 1 (FP1) at the 2025 Formula 1 Mexican Grand Prix. The session will take place on October 24 at the iconic Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. This will be a highly anticipated homecoming for the Monterrey-born racer, who has steadily built a name for himself across both American and international motorsport.
This appearance marks O’Ward’s second FP1 outing at the Mexican Grand Prix, following his participation in the same session during the 2024 season. That performance was well received by the team and fans alike, as O’Ward temporarily replaced Lando Norris in a session that allowed him to showcase his potential on one of Formula 1’s most exciting and atmospheric circuits. Speaking about the upcoming event, O’Ward expressed his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity.
“I’m excited to be jumping back in the car for FP1 at my home race in Mexico this year,” O’Ward said in a statement released by McLaren. “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.”
At just 26 years old, O’Ward is already considered one of motorsport’s brightest prospects. A fan favorite in IndyCar, he has shown time and again that he possesses the speed, determination, and charisma needed to excel at the top levels of racing. His return to FP1 not only gives him more valuable F1 mileage but also adds depth to McLaren’s driver pool as they continue to build a versatile and competitive team.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella echoed O’Ward’s enthusiasm and highlighted the strategic importance of giving drivers like Pato the opportunity to gain further experience in the F1 environment. “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,” Stella commented. “This will provide further knowledge for Pato as he continues to be available as part of our reserve driver pool for the second year, ensuring we have a wide pool of drivers available to be called upon if required.”
O’Ward’s involvement will go beyond just the one-hour FP1 session. Throughout the race weekend, he will play a key role in supporting the main drivers—Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri—by providing technical feedback, assisting with car setup, and sharing his insights from the track. His contributions behind the scenes are expected to be just as valuable as his performance on the circuit.
As the 2025 Formula 1 season progresses, McLaren finds itself in a powerful position. The team has surged to the top of the constructors’ standings after just six races, propelled by strong performances from both Norris and Piastri. The latter currently leads his team-mate by 16 points in the drivers’ championship, following a triumphant victory at the Miami Grand Prix last weekend. Defending world champion Max Verstappen sits in third place, suggesting that this year’s title fight could come down to the final races of the season.
The emergence of Piastri as a genuine title contender has provided McLaren with a powerful one-two punch, and the synergy between him and Norris has been key to the team’s success. With O’Ward adding further depth and flexibility to their lineup, McLaren is positioning itself as a modern powerhouse in Formula 1—a team with a clear vision, a strong development strategy, and the drivers to back it up.
The decision to run O’Ward in FP1 also underscores the growing global nature of Formula 1. The sport has been rapidly expanding its presence in the Americas, and Mexican fans in particular have shown unwavering passion for their homegrown stars. O’Ward’s participation will undoubtedly heighten local interest in the race weekend, and McLaren’s choice to spotlight him speaks volumes about the team’s understanding of the sport’s evolving dynamics.
As the Mexican Grand Prix draws nearer, all eyes will be on O’Ward to see how he performs in front of an adoring home crowd. For McLaren, it’s another step forward in their ongoing evolution—blending seasoned talent, emerging stars, and strategic foresight to maintain their edge in the ultra-competitive world of Formula 1.
