P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Pato O’Ward’s primary duty is to be a driver for Arrow McLaren’s IndyCar team, but he has been steadily becoming
The Mexican driver, Patricio O’Ward, earned his first opportunity to drive an F1 car based on a bet he won with Zak Brown. He showcased his skills through multiple test runs and FP1 outings, proving his ability to handle the powerful cars. Despite enjoying the experience of driving more advanced machinery, O’Ward became aware of the challenges he faced in adapting to different cars during his initial F1 test runs. After his recent test with McLaren’s MCL60, he acknowledged the need to push himself outside his comfort zone to secure his role as the team’s reserve driver for the 2024 season. O’Ward recognized that being uncomfortable and placing oneself in challenging situations is necessary for growth and success in a competitive sport like F1. He has made significant progress in his pace during F1 outings and now feels in control of the car, rather than the other way around. O’Ward’s strong performances have led him to believe that more track time will come his way, and he harbors ambitions of competing in the global series after delivering an Indy 500 victory to McLaren. While his main focus remains on IndyCar, O’Ward sees the opportunity to tackle the challenge of Formula 1 and aims to be a serious contender, not just someone here for fun. He will now shift his attention back to IndyCar as he prepares to race with the hybrid powertrain for the first time at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in March.
