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“I’m not open to doing it for five more years” – Pato O’Ward on his F1 reserve driver role
Pato O’Ward is facing an important moment in his career this off-season as he juggles supporting McLaren’s Formula 1 team and pursuing an IndyCar championship, potentially becoming the main attraction in the series. O’Ward has been busy with F1 testing and IndyCar preparations, barely having time for himself during the off-season, which was different from IndyCar’s break. Despite his commitment to Formula 1, seeing younger drivers secure long-term spots might lead O’Ward to consider his future prospects in F1. O’Ward expressed his desire to be actively driving in F1 and acknowledged the challenges of balancing his F1 duties with his goals of winning the Indy 500 and an IndyCar title, emphasizing the need for his opportunities to expand in the future. Although grateful for his F1 role, O’Ward is aware of the sacrifices he makes and the need to evaluate if his F1 commitments align with his broader ambitions in motorsport.
