Pato O’Ward returns to F1 for FP1 home race at GP de Mexico 2025

Pato O’Ward, IndyCar driver and reserve for McLaren in Formula 1, will take the wheel of the MCL39 during the first practice session (FP1) of the 2025 Mexico Grand Prix, scheduled for Friday, October 24. It will be the second consecutive year that the 25-year-old Monterrey native will participate in this session at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

This participation is part of his role as a reserve driver for McLaren, allowing him to gain valuable F1 experience while supporting the team in their preparations for the race weekend. O’Ward has already participated in FP1 sessions, notably in Abu Dhabi, but driving in front of his Mexican audience holds a special significance for him.

A remarkable performance in 2024

During his participation in the free practice sessions of the 2024 Mexico Grand Prix, O’Ward impressed by finishing 13th in the session, only 0.3 seconds behind his teammate Oscar Piastri. Despite interruptions due to red flags, he managed to provide valuable data to the team. “It was a very intense session, especially with such a chaotic and crazy practice,” he stated. “I am very happy to have been able to extract everything I could from the program the team had planned.”

His performance had been praised by Andrea Stella, director of the McLaren F1 team, who had highlighted his significant contribution to the testing program and his consistency on track.

An ambition always present for F1

Although he is currently engaged in IndyCar, O’Ward has never hidden his ambition to join Formula 1 full-time. « My dream is to be in Formula 1. I don’t see it as a failure if I don’t get there, but it’s something I’m actively pursuing », he confided.

His popularity in Mexico and his strong performances in IndyCar, where he finished fifth in the 2024 championship with three victories and a second place at the Indy 500, bolster his candidacy for a future in F1.

An opportunity for McLaren and O’Ward

O’Ward’s participation in the FP1 session of the 2025 Mexico Grand Prix offers McLaren an opportunity to test a talented driver while strengthening its presence in the Mexican market. For O’Ward, it’s a chance to showcase his F1 skills and move closer to his goal of becoming a full-time driver.

“I’m excited to get back in the car for the FP1 session at my home Grand Prix in Mexico this year,” said O’Ward. “The fans in Mexico City were amazing last time, and it was a great feeling to be able to extract everything I could from the program the team had planned. I can’t wait to do it again this year, to work with Zak, Andrea, and the whole team.”