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IndyCar star Pato O'Ward fulfilled his reserve/test driver responsibilities at the 2025 Mexican GP as he stepped in for Lando Norris during the FP1 session as part of the rookie tests mandated by the FIA. The Mexican driver was in front of his home crowd and was open to the idea of an F1 switch.Pato O'Ward joined Arrow McLaren as a full-time driver during 2020 and has participated in multiple F1 tests with the Woking-based team since the 2022 season. O'Ward drove the McLaren F1 car in Abu Dhabi and participated in the young drivers' test.O'Ward got his superlicence after the 2023 IndyCar season and was announced as McLaren's reserve driver for the 2024 season. The Arrow McLaren driver drove the MCL38 at the Mexican GP FP1 during the 2024 season, and was spotted in the paddock for the later races of the season.At the 2025 Mexican GP, Pato O'Ward was once again given the opportunity to step into the F1 car, replacing Norris for the FP1 session, driving the MCL39 in front of his home crowd. The Mexican had previously detailed his dream of racing in F1, but claimed that he was content with the IndyCar role.2025 Mexico City Grand Prix - Source: GettyAfter the 2025 Mexican GP, Pato O'Ward spoke about the experience of driving the McLaren F1 car in Mexico, and suggested that he was open to the idea of making a switch to F1. He said,“I would love to race in INDYCAR here in Mexico and obviously, if I ever get to race in Formula 1, I’m going to take it. It’s great to be able to do both things. I’m obviously not racing in F1. I’m racing in INDYCAR but I can also jump into a Formula 1 car and enjoy that. I have no complaints at all.” (via Fox Sports)Pato O'Ward detailed the political hurdle that prevented him from making the F1 moveF1 Grand Prix of Mexico - Practice - Source: GettyPato O'Ward raced in the 2019 F2 season for a handful of races, but a move to the Formula ladder series never materialized. The Mexican had been in talks for a potential F1 move, but it never materialized, and O'Ward signed full-time with Arrow McLaren, later taking up the F1 responsibility.Speaking about the political hurdle that prevented the F1 move, O'Ward said,“Formula 1 has been flirting with me for years, since 2019, it's been seven years now. In 2019, I already had everything lined up to move up, and then things got political, and what can you do? You can just do what you've done and try to improve. Of course, I'm not going to say no. You say, well, let's see what happens here, but it's a real challenge to take a seat away from someone who's doing a good job.” (mediotiempo.com)Pato O'Ward will continue his role as the reserve driver for the remainder of the 2025 F1 season, and with the IndyCar season over, he is likely to make an appearance in the paddock for the remaining races.
