McLaren test and reserve driver Pato O’Ward has downplayed his ambitions of reaching Formula 1, delivering a sharp criticism of the current direction of the sport and describing it as increasingly “too much like a show”.
The Mexican driver, who has served as McLaren’s third driver since 2022, revealed that he has lost the desire to pursue a full-time Formula 1 seat. According to him, the sport has moved away from pure racing and is becoming more focused on artificial entertainment.
“Honestly, I think Formula 1 has made a mistake in becoming what it is today. It feels too artificial,” O’Ward told Fox Deportes. “The passion I had for Formula 1 was not because of fame or money, but because those cars were incredible. Driving them was impressive, watching them was impressive. And it feels like every year a little bit of that essence has been taken away.”
Pato O’Ward has established himself as one of the leading drivers in IndyCar since making his full-time debut in 2020. Last year he finished second in the championship behind Alex Palou, marking his strongest season to date. Despite his success in the United States, the path to Formula 1 has remained out of reach—and now, it no longer appears to be a priority.
During his four years with McLaren, the Mexican driver has taken part in five Formula 1 free practice sessions and is expected to add a sixth before the end of the season.
“Towards the end of the year, when the season is finished, I think I will do a test and maybe even a Formula 1 free practice session,” he said. “But I cannot say it for sure, because I have not received any confirmation yet.”
Pato O’Ward’s criticism focuses particularly on Formula 1’s overtaking assistance systems, which he believes undermine the competitive integrity of racing, despite IndyCar also featuring a “push-to-pass” system.
“Someone like me is looking for exactly that: you want to race because you have that passion,” he added. “You want to push the car to the limit under braking, you want to take a fast corner as quickly as possible. Not press a button to overtake someone, as if it were something artificial. It’s not Mario Kart. We are racing.”
His comments also reflect his growing commitment to IndyCar, which he now views as a more authentic form of racing.
“That’s why I am very happy in IndyCar,” Pato O’Ward said. “For me, it is currently the best category for a driver who truly wants to race. Because Formula 1 now feels too much like a show, too artificial. And honestly, that does not attract me anymore.”
Pato O’Ward’s comments highlight a growing sentiment among some drivers that Formula 1’s pursuit of entertainment may be coming at the cost of its sporting soul. By choosing to remain in IndyCar, O’Ward is prioritizing the raw, physical challenge of racing over the prestige of the F1 paddock. As the 2026 season approaches, his perspective serves as a reminder that for some elite talents, the “show” will never replace the genuine thrill of pushing a car to its absolute limit without electronic assistance.
Leave a Reply