Pato O’Ward is wanting ahead to a particular alternative for him to run in FP1 on house floor on the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix within the midst of McLaren’s Method 1 championship battles.
McLaren leads the constructors’ championship by 40 factors from Crimson Bull and 48 from Ferrari, whereas Lando Norris is 57 factors adrift of Max Verstappen within the drivers’ standings. In opposition to that backdrop, O’Ward — an Arrow McLaren racer in IndyCar — will drive through the F1 weekend in Mexico Metropolis for the primary time when he takes half within the opening apply session, and he says the aggressive image solely provides to his anticipation.
“I’m simply so excited to be there,” O’Ward informed RACER. “I’m excited to benefit from the expertise of that grand prix weekend with out simply being there to stroll round — I’ll really get to drive the automobile at the least as soon as! In order that’s fairly particular.
“I haven’t actually had the prospect to do this in knowledgeable method in so a few years. The stage doesn’t get any larger than Method 1 and it’s actually an important alternative for me to be there with the workforce and clearly assist them any method I can to get every part sorted out for Lando and make that as clean as attainable, but in addition get what I would like out of it and actually get to get pleasure from it. That’s my major objective — I need to get pleasure from that as a lot as attainable.
“I really feel like naturally you’d anticipate it to, however I don’t really feel the additional stress actually. I believe it’s cool. I really assume it’s the opposite method spherical — I believe it’s implausible that I’m going to get to drive the constructors’ championship- main automobile. That’s superior. I’ve by no means had the prospect to do this, in order that’s a primary!”
O’Ward has been within the UK making ready for his FP1 outing and says he feels extra at house in F1 equipment because of the quantity of operating he now has accomplished with McLaren.
“I used to be there for 3 weeks, I had 4 sim days, I had TPC testing in Silverstone — that was actually satisfying however I solely bought a few hours within the dry, then it was extraordinarily moist. So nonetheless satisfying however not the identical –you may’t lean on the automobile the identical, clearly,” O’Ward mentioned. “However I’m excited for Mexico. I’m excited for what it could deliver to me as knowledgeable, and actually seeing what it’s going to be all about. The automobile’s a missile proper now, so I’m wanting ahead to driving that.
“I really feel very comfy. I’d say after the Abu Dhabi take a look at final 12 months I bought to essentially lean on the automobile and it simply feels much more like house. Mexico is barely totally different simply due to the altitude and the grip ranges and all that stuff, however in a method I believe it’s going to be much less of a step than what it normally is due to the altitude and the grip. So I believe I’m in for some actually good enjoyable, and I’m wanting ahead to exhibiting up nicely for myself and the workforce.”
The Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix is famend for its celebration environment and unimaginable help for Sergio Perez. O’Ward shouldn’t be anticipating an identical response however eager to see the curiosity he receives.
“I don’t know what to anticipate, actually,” he admitted. “Yearly has clearly gotten larger, I don’t know right here that has gotten to. I don’t know the place that degree is true now. I at all times gauge it after I go to Mexico. It’s felt like after the Indy 500 this 12 months there’s been a shift in that regard, like there’s been an enormous step in recognition in a way.
“Extra simply concentrated in Mexico somewhat than in all places else — I’m nonetheless form of a no person within the F1 paddock, to be trustworthy! Folks that find out about motorsports clearly know after I’m strolling round, however all of the Netflix development for certain has no thought who anyone is moreover the 20 [F1] drivers. So it is going to be attention-grabbing.
“I’m curious to see the stadium part as a result of each time Checo goes via there I hear everyone simply screams, and I can hear it from the field. Clearly I don’t assume it is going to be the identical for me after I undergo there, however perhaps some folks might be like ‘Hey!’ I believe that might be actually cool.”
