Pato O’Ward has expressed his desire to reach Formula 1 and has tried to do so with McLaren, with whom he races in the IndyCar Series and has tested the team’s single-seater at the 2024 Mexico GP.
Canelo attends the Las Vegas GP wearing a Checo Pérez cap and congratulates Max Verstappen
The 25-year-old driver has also set himself a deadline to reach F1: 27 years old, as he considers it very difficult to be able to earn a seat after that age.
Patricio O’Ward could make Formula 1 move with Cadillac
With McLaren, the championship-winning constructor in F1 2024, it looks complicated with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as its regular drivers, but O’Ward will be a reserve driver for 2025.
But a new door is opening for the Monterrey driver, as he has shared that there is a possibility of reaching the top category with the new Cadillac team, which will join the grid in 2026.
There are possibilities (to go to GM/Cadillac). I have a very good relationship with Zak (Brown) and he knows that one of my goals as a driver, as a person, has always been F1. And no matter how much he wants me to take that step, to be here (McLaren), I think he understands that he also has a good problem, that he has two very strong drivers, but you never know how everything moves.
“And GM/Cadillac comes in, I have a relationship with Chevrolet, which is something together with GM (General Motors) and, that there is a possibility, there is a possibility, but right now really not much has been said about that,” he told Fox Sports.
Pato O’Ward and his direct line with McLaren CEO Zak Brown
Patricio O’Ward confirms his good relationship with Zak Brown, the head of McLaren, from whom he expects support in case he gets the opportunity to race in F1 with another team.
“When that time comes, and if it does, I’ll talk to Zak and really sit down with him and say ‘look, I have this opportunity, help me out’ and the truth is I trust that he’s going to give me that opportunity to say ‘you know what, I want to see you succeed’.”