P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Pato O’Ward’s 2023 IndyCar season might be best remembered for three high-profile incidents, but it was still a step forward in terms of consistency. He talks to Jack Benyon about the risk versus reward balancing act and what he and McLaren can achieve in 2024
In 2024, the only IndyCar driver with a Formula 1 deal is Pato O’Ward, who serves as McLaren’s F1 reserve driver. O’Ward has shown great talent in IndyCar, although his journey has had its ups and downs. In 2019, he left Carlin’s IndyCar team to join the Red Bull junior scheme but later realized that pursuing an F1 seat was premature. Joining McLaren’s IndyCar team in 2020 was a turning point for him, and he has patiently waited for the team to align with the top teams in the series. The 2023 season was challenging for O’Ward, but he significantly improved his consistency and earned more points. O’Ward takes calculated risks on the track, understanding that they can either lead to great rewards or significant setbacks.
