McLaren announce Pato O’Ward for F1 Mexico GP FP1

McLaren Racing has confirmed Pato O’Ward will participate in Free Practice 1 at the Mexico City Grand Prix, later this year. 

Feature image credit: McLaren Racing

The McLaren Arrow IndyCar driver, O’Ward, is set to participate in a Formula 1 session at the Mexico City GP, later this year, McLaren confirmed on Thursday. 

The Mexican driver, who had previously participated in FP1 in Mexico last year, will make his second consecutive home appearance at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. 

It is unclear if he will be replacing Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri when he gets behind the wheel of the team’s MCL39, in Mexico. 

“I’m excited to be jumping back in the car for FP1 at my home race in Mexico this year,” commented O’Ward. “The Mexico City fans were unbelievable last time out, and it was a great feeling being able to extract everything from the programme that the team had planned.

“I’m looking forward to going again this year, working with Zak, Andrea and the whole team.”

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In his appearance, he will not only get valuable time behind the wheel of the F1 machinery, but will also provide feedback to help set up the car for Norris and Piastri at the circuit. 

The outing in FP1 is part of the Mexican’s continued role as one of the team’s reserve drivers. 

McLaren confirmed that after the 2025 season of IndyCar has concluded, O’Ward will be available to the team in the same role he held during McLaren’s successful title challenge last year. 

“We are pleased to confirm that Pato O’Ward will participate in Free Practice 1 at the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix as he gains valuable time behind the wheel of the MCL39,” said McLaren Team Principal, Andrea Stella. 

“Pato provided an appreciated contribution last season and continues to impress in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, making him a suitable driver for the Free Practice 1 session. 

“This will provide further knowledge for Pato as he continues to be available as part of our reserve driver pool for the second year, ensuring we have a wide pool of drivers available to be called upon if required.”

McLaren confirmed the plans for the remaining FP1 opportunities will be announced ‘in due course.’

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.