“It’s a dream come true,” with those words, Patricio O’Ward summed up the happiness of getting into a single-seater at home during Practice 1 of the Mexican Grand Prix.
Beyond not hearing the roar that came with going through the new GNP Stadium (formerly Foro Sol), because he was busy setting up the McLaren, he said he was happy with the reception and support he had.
McLaren’s plan with Pato O’Ward
After taking his first laps at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, the Mexican felt that the Team Papaya car could give more, however, the plans were different.
“I would have liked to have had more opportunities to prepare for the soft. But with what we did, I feel very happy with what I achieved for myself. And with all the information I was able to gather for the team, because obviously they are in a fight for a very important title,” he told the media, including Marca.
I wish I had more opportunities to prepare for the soft
Faced with this, Pato O’Ward was unable to exploit the potential of the McLaren: “We need information and it is extremely important for what the weekend is going to be. So they were very clear, I had to prioritise performance to gather all the information and be consistent,” he insisted.
“But I’m going away very happy because I think we gathered everything we needed in a pretty chaotic session. I think they’re very happy with the work I did and I can’t wait to drive this car again, and hopefully it will be before the end of the year.”
IndyCar vs Formula 1
On the other hand, Pato O’Ward mentioned that racing for Arrow in the US series is not an easy task, even more so than an F1.
“I’ve always said, Indy is the hardest thing. If you notice, Formula 2 drivers, Formula 1 drivers who run a practice in IndyCar, they are last. You don’t get close to the leaders of the category. It is a category that has a lot of potential but sadly, socially, it is not even close to how big F1 is”.
The dream of reaching F1
On the other hand, Pato O’Ward is not giving up on getting a seat in the top category of motorsport.
“I would love to get to Formula 1 because at the end of the day it’s the biggest stage. That’s how my dream was born to be a race car driver to get to Formula 1, but for now, I have big goals in IndyCar.”
I’d love to get to Formula 1 because at the end of the day it’s the biggest stage
I want to be Indy 500 champion, that’s the race I want to win the most. So as soon as I can do it, I’d love to take on the F1 challenge. I know I can get here, and having the right tools, be a starting driver.
Not reaching F1 is not failure
Finally, Pato O’Ward pointed out what lies ahead in his professional career.
“In terms of the future, being in IndyCar I feel that I have already reached a place where I am already a leader in Mexican motorsport.”
“I don’t have to come to Formula 1 to be a leader in the country, and I know that many see F1 as the top, but if I don’t get there, I wouldn’t see it as a failure, because at the end of the day, I’ve been put up against a lot of people who are on the F1 grid right now, and you know what’s happened”.
Finally, the Monterrey native mentioned that “a lot has to do with the portfolio you come in with.”
“I know I have enough talent, but I can’t be living on what happens, I don’t come with $30 million,” he concluded.
