Pato O’Ward no longer hides his doubts about Formula 1. The Mexican driver openly criticizes the evolution of the championship and now seems to be moving away from it.
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Long considered a potential Formula 1 candidate, Pato O’Ward now seems to have lowered his ambitions. The Mexican driver, currently a reserve and development driver for McLaren, has openly expressed his disillusionment with the direction the discipline has taken.
Present within the team’s fold since 2022, he has nevertheless had several opportunities to experience F1 through free practice sessions. But despite this proximity to the paddock, his desire to pursue a career there now seems to have significantly diminished.
An F1 deemed “too artificial”
In a frank statement, the 25-year-old driver did not mince his words to describe his feelings. According to him, Formula 1 has gradually moved away from what made up its essence.
“Honestly, I think Formula 1 made a mistake in the direction it has taken today. It seems artificial,” he declared.
He insists that his initial attraction to the discipline was not linked to fame or money, but rather to a fascination with single-seaters.
“My desire to go to F1 didn’t come from celebrity or money. It was because these cars were incredible. Driving them was impressive, seeing them was impressive,” he adds.
A loss of the essence of pure driving
For O’Ward, the gradual transformation of the discipline has diluted what he considers to be the very essence of driving. He believes that, season after season, a part of this authenticity has disappeared.
“I feel like every year, a little bit of that essence disappears. That pure feeling,” he explains.
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The Mexican particularly points to overtaking aids, which he considers too artificial and far removed from the true on-track battle.
According to him, these devices reduce the importance of the driver’s pure talent: “You want to push the car to the maximum under braking, take fast corners as quickly as possible. Not press a button to overtake someone, as if it were artificial. It’s not Mario Kart. We’re here to race.”
A future now focused on IndyCar
While the door to F1 seems to be closing, Pato O’Ward is fully thriving in the IndyCar Series. Since his full-time debut in 2020, he has established himself as one of the most competitive drivers in the championship.
His second place in the overall standings last season, behind Alex Palou, confirms his rise to power. A level of performance that reinforces his choice to remain in a discipline he considers more authentic.
Even if he could still occasionally participate in tests with McLaren, O’Ward no longer seems to make Formula 1 a priority. He also mentions the possibility of a few additional runs by the end of the season, without guarantee.
But the message is clear: his future is no longer built around F1.
“”That’s why I’m very happy in IndyCar. For me, it’s currently the best category for a driver who really wants to race,” he asserts.
Before concluding with an unequivocal criticism: “Because Formula 1 today looks too much like a show, too artificial. And honestly, it doesn’t attract me.”
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