Still excited about being able to fulfill his dream of running a race in the Hermanos Rodríguez Autodrome, Patricio O’Ward lived with his fans in Mexico Cityprior to his second appearance in practice this Friday in Formula 1 and he took the opportunity to show his confidence in being able to make the leap to the highest category of motorsport.
In this way and before the absence of Sergio Pérez on the grillthe man from Monterrey will be the one who represents Mexico on the track, something that excites him and motivates him to work harder to one day reach the Great Circus.
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After briefly analyzing the upcoming season finale, where his two McLaren teammates are leaders of the drivers’ world championship with Oscar Piastri in the lead with 346 points and Lando Norris second with 332, O’Ward issued a harsh warning to his colleagues from the papaya-colored team, regarding the last five events remaining on the calendar, given the threat of Max Verstappen.
“What Max Verstappen is capable of doing in a car is admirable, but what Oscar and Lando have achieved is also to be recognized with the constructors’ championship, but I am waiting for the drivers’ championship to become more entertaining, although if Piastri and Norris fight among themselves, Max is going to eat them,” said the tricolor driver, who will compete this Friday with Lando Norris’ car, waiting to be able to handle more of those 20 minutes that he barely had in 2024.
When questioned about what he would do in a hypothetical scenario like the one McLaren is experiencing today, with a dispute between its two drivers for the title, but with Red Bull’s Verstappen on the prowl, The Mexican was blunt about what he would ask of McLaren; “Give me the seat.”
Patricio O’Ward focused on his permanent position in IndyCar
Without feeling pressured about your future and a possible rise to F1who for the moment is blocked in the British team, the Mexican focuses on his permanent position in IndyCar, still with pending goals to achieve in the category, such as bringing the North American series to Mexico, for which he asked for patience as such possibility has been canceled for 2026.
“Being in a Formula 1 car is special and in the team we have had a great year, even in the IndyCar Series and I have faith that a victory in the Indianapolis 500 and racing in my house (Mexico) will happen,” said the Monterrey native, who in addition to giving away autographs, t-shirts, and photographs, took the time to do improvised dynamics with the almost one thousand attendees who came to his coexistence in CDMX.
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Interesting facts
- Patricio O’Ward achieved two victories in the last season of the IndyCar Seriesin addition to the runner-up in the category
- Since 2024, the Mexican was placed as a reserve driver in the Formula 1 team, with at least one guaranteed free practice per season in F1 and being an immediate substitute for Piastri or Norris.