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McLaren has signed IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward to its team ahead of the 2024 Formula One season. The Chevrolet driver for Arrow McLaren will join the F1 team’s pool of reserve drivers alongside his current IndyCar duties after long being tipped to make the switch.
O’Ward’s move to F1 comes having started his career in the Pro Mazda Championship before progressing into IndyCar Series racing. The 24-year-old went on to join McLaren Racing in 2020 – the same year he won the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year.
With seven podium finishes to his name – finishing fourth overall in this year’s IndyCar championship – O’Ward was able to qualify for a Super Licence that would allow him to become a reserve driver for McLaren alongside racing in IndyCar.
The Mexican driver will join the likes of Le Mans 24 Hours winner Ryo Hirakawa. He will also be expected to step in if the team’s regular drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are unable to compete.
“Pumped to take on this new role within the McLaren Racing family,” O’Ward said after his new role was announced. “I’ve spent a lot of time with the F1 team having driven previously in free practice and taken part in a few tests.
“I’ve always said it’s never a bad day when you get to jump into an F1 car, so I look forward to joining the reserve driver pool for next year alongside my driving duties with Arrow McLaren.
“Thank you to Andrea (Stella, McLaren F1 Team Principal) and Zak Brown (McLaren Racing CEO) for this great opportunity.”
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O’Ward is already familiar with the inner workings of F1 as he makes the next step in his racing career. The Monterrey-born driver took part in the 2021 young driver test in Abu Dhabi and FP1 at last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He also took part in numerous development tests in McLaren’s 2021 car – the MCL35M.
“The McLaren Formula 1 team are pleased to welcome Pato O’Ward to our pool of reserve drivers for the 2024 season,” McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella said.
“Pato had an impressive season in the NTT IndyCar Series and has performed well in his Driver Development tests, so it felt natural to take this next step now he’s been granted his FIA Super License.
“With the expansive calendar, it’s prudent to ensure we have a wide pool of drivers that we can call upon if required. We look forward to seeing him progress in this new role.”
O’Ward’s move to McLaren comes following a mixed season for the team. Norris and Piastri currently occupy sixth and ninth place in this season’s rankings and are yet to win a race amid Max Verstappen’s dominance.
Norris has seven podium finishes this season, with a string of second-place finishes in Brazil, the United States, Japan, Singapore, Hungary and Silverstone. Piastri enjoyed two podium finishes – coming in second place at the Qatar GP and third in Japan.
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